Category: Syria

After surviving a bomb attack and finding shelter in a Turkish refugee camp, a Syrian girl admires her new shoes — a gift made possible by Baitulmaal donors.  Children suffer tremendously in conflict zones, and a donor can bring hope where it is in short supply.

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URFA, TURKEY, March 8, 2021 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian relief agency, recently delivered winter essentials to 85 Syrian refugee families and 190 Syrian orphans. Warm meals were also served to 1,500 orphans while heaters and fuel were supplied to 6 schools serving 2,050 students in Northern Syria.

Orphaned children between the ages of 3 and 15 in the Syrian city of Tell Abyad received sweaters, trousers, jackets and shoes. Heaters and heating fuel were also supplied to 6 schools in the area serving a total of 2,050 students, including the Al-Sokariah primary and middle schools, Alatshana school, Kormaza school and Khirbet al-Raz school. In the neighboring Turkish governorate of Urfa, 50 Syrian refugee families received 2 heavy blankets each, and another 35 families received winter clothes for 100 children.

Baitulmaal’s executive director, Mazen Mokhtar, was on the ground in Turkey coordinating humanitarian efforts and delivering the much-needed aid. He said that many people in refugee camps have insufficient means to protect themselves against extreme weather, especially children, which is why his team were in the camps distributing warm meals and clothing as well as heaters to keep students warm at the schools. 

“To see the faces of children light up when they receive new shoes or a jacket is truly a heartwarming experience,” said Mokhtar. “I saw one girl who was injured in a bombing and thought to myself how fragile, yet strong, these children are. I’m thankful our donors enable us to deliver hope where it is needed.” 

According to the UN Refugee Agency, Syria has the largest displaced population in the world. More than 6 million people — including 2.5 million children — are displaced within Syria. Many displaced Syrians live in deplorable conditions owing to continued violence and escalating poverty. Tell Abyad, a Syrian city that shares a border with Turkey, has long been hotly contested and targeted during the now 10-year long conflict.

Baitulmaal recently delivered large floor mats and winter kits to Syrians in Idlib, four hours west of Tell Abyad, whose tents and belongings were impacted by severe winter weather. The charity also distributed bread for 94,677 meals to families facing food insecurity in Syria.

Donors who would like to learn more or contribute to emergency aid and orphan support programs at Baitulmaal can visit their website at johnjanney.org/.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the charity has offices in: Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Nairobi, Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; Amman and Al Ramtha, Jordan; and Karachi, Pakistan.

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IDLIB, SYRIA, February 12, 2021 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian relief agency, recently delivered winter aid to 450 displaced families in northern Syria affected by severe winter storms.

Large floor mats and warm blankets were distributed to families in Maa’rat Masrin and surrounding camps near Idlib province where tens of thousands of displaced Syrian families have set up makeshift shelters in recent months. Torrential rains caused widespread flooding in the region, washing away food and belongings while strong winds ripped through tent settlements.

Baitulmaal, which had completed a round of winter aid in the camps a few months ago, mobilized quickly to reach those affected by the recent storms.

“What little belongings these families had were now soaked through and caked in mud,” said Elizabeth Sohail, programs manager at Baitulmaal. “It was crucial for us to provide them new blankets and items to keep them warm and dry through the rest of winter.”

According to Mark Cutts, the U.N.’s deputy regional humanitarian coordinator for Syria, at least 121,000 people were affected, 21,700 tents were destroyed, and one child was dead due to the storms. This contributes to what Cutts described as a “catastrophic situation” for Syrians already reeling from continuous conflict, freezing winter temperatures, and a relentless global pandemic.

In addition to winter aid, Baitulmaal also recently distributed bread for 94,677 meals to families facing food insecurity in Syria. Donors who would like to learn more or contribute to the emergency aid programs at Baitulmaal can visit their website at johnjanney.org/.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the charity has offices in: Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Nairobi, Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; Amman and Al Ramtha, Jordan; and Karachi, Pakistan.

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IDLIB, SYRIA, December 8, 2020 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian aid organization, distributed bread for 94,677 meals to displaced families in northern Syria.

Baitulmaal field workers distributed 6,275 bags of fresh-baked bread to 575 Syrian households in rural Idlib, prioritizing those with children, elderly or disabled members as well as families who have not yet received humanitarian assistance. Local governments have reduced bread subsidies despite food prices continuing to soar, creating a difficult situation for Syrian families. 

According to the UN, more than 9.3 million people are suffering from food insecurity in Syria, an increase of 1.4 million since last year. Recent rains have damaged tents of displaced Syrians ahead of the winter season, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Last year, Baitulmaal delivered 754,602 meals to displaced Syrian families living in make-shift camps. The charity also installed gas stove heaters in Syrian schools to provide warmth to 560 students, in addition to installing solar power systems in three schools that provide education to 2,285 students. 

Donors interested in giving to help people in Syria can donate online at johnjanney.org/donate. 

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the charity has offices in: Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Nairobi, Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; Amman and Al Ramtha, Jordan; and Karachi, Pakistan. 

 

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IDLIB, SYRIA, November 13, 2019 — Baitulmaal recently finished installing solar power systems in three schools that provide education to 2,285 students in war-torn Syria.

According to the Assistance Coordination Unit “Schools in Syria” report, parents are reluctant to send their children to school because many schools in Syria are poorly equipped or damaged from the conflict. This leaves children at risk of losing interest in education, which may significantly limit their opportunities later in life.

An estimated 2.1 million children and youth no longer attend school in Syria because of the ongoing civil war. Roughly 3.3 million who do attend school need educational assistance.

Before the war, Syria had a good educational system. By 2011, 91% of children ages 6 to 11 were enrolled in school. By 2015, that rate plummeted to 37% because of the war (source: UNESCO).

Baitulmaal representatives said such educational support makes a big, positive impact for Syrian children struggling to survive and thrive amidst the conflict.

“Something as simple as being able to power lights or a laptop can be the difference between a child attending school or staying at home,” said Elizabeth Sohail, Programs Manager for Baitulmaal. “Thanks to our donors, more than 2,000 students have been given a better chance in life.”

Sohail said Baitulmaal is planning another school-support aid package of stoves and heaters for schools inside Syria. She said anyone interested in supporting this effort can do so through the Baitulmaal website at johnjanney.org/donate.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Dallas, the charity has offices in Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit as well as international offices in Jordan, Kenya and Pakistan.

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Help heat schools for Syrian students. 

1,000 recently internally displaced families receive much-needed food assistance

IDLIB, SYRIA, October 22, 2019 — Baitulmaal, an international humanitarian relief organization, distributed 130,200 meals in war-torn Syria through ready-to-eat food packages. Baitulmaal field workers gave the donor-funded food assistance to 1,000 internally displaced Syrian families currently living in make-shift camps.

Field agents working with Baitulmaal in Syria identified the camp of 1,000 recently displaced families who were not receiving support from other relief agencies. We also discovered people with special needs such as disabled individuals, pregnant women and orphans.

With war continuing to disrupt society in Syria, many families have little income, no assets and no prospects to earn additional income. Internally displaced Syrians often seek refuge in remote areas far from town centers or markets. This leaves families with limited access to food, water, sanitation and other life necessities.

“These families just want a chance at life,” said Elizabeth Sohail, Program Manager at Baitulmaal. “The food and water we distribute gives them hope that they will survive this conflict, piece their lives back together and thrive once again.”

The food packages include staples such as rice, beans, canned meat, olive oil, cheese, fruit jam, bread and water.

Sohail said her organization will continue providing emergency relief in Syria and other conflict zones where people are struggling to survive.

“We are committed to helping people who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in dire situations,” Sohail continued. “And our donors have come through time and time again for people suffering from conflicts, poverty, hunger and other circumstances around the world.”

Anyone interested in helping with Syrian relief can do so through the Baitulmaal website at johnjanney.org/donate.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Dallas, the charity has offices in Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit as well as international offices in Jordan, Kenya and Pakistan.

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Syrians fleeing the violence in their country need your help now.