Imagine enduring a nightmare where you witness your loved one being brutally attacked while you and your children helplessly look on. Picture being jolted awake by a deafening explosion, scrambling through a haze of dust to find your youngest child buried beneath debris. Or envision your child surviving a bombing but suffering horrific injuries, with no medical care available. These are the stark realities faced by families amidst the chaos of Syria’s civil war.
Aleppo, once a thriving city with a population of 2.3 million—similar to Chicago—now lies in ruins. As someone who spent 12 years near Chicago, the devastation there is truly heart-wrenching to fathom. And Aleppo is just one of many cities caught in the turmoil. A staggering 13.5 million individuals within Syria need humanitarian assistance, with 6.5 million displaced internally and another 4.5 million seeking refuge abroad. Here’s what you really need to know about these resilient individuals from across the globe:
- The Syrian conflict is the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II. This crisis eclipses other global tragedies, including the AIDS epidemic and the Ethiopian famine. An astounding 11 million people have either lost their lives or been forced to flee their homes. The numbers themselves are staggering, and each represents a deeply personal and often tragic story.
- Most refugees are being sheltered by neighboring Muslim countries. Turkey has taken in approximately 2.5 million refugees, while in Lebanon, 1 in 5 residents is a Syrian refugee. Jordan is home to about 10% Syrian refugees, and Europe has accepted around 1 million. In stark contrast, the United States welcomed just 10,000 refugees in 2016—merely .002% of the total seeking safety.
- The majority of Syrian refugees resettling in the U.S. are women and children. Contrary to misleading reports, 78% of those referred to the U.S. by the United Nations are women and children. We are, essentially, helping to save families in desperate need.
- Refugee vetting is more stringent than for other travelers. The U.S. refugee process is thorough, involving multiple steps and often taking up to two years to complete. Additional security checks occur even after resettlement. If any concerns arise about an individual’s background, they are not allowed entry. In fact, an average tourist from Europe poses a greater risk.
- Many Syrian children are separated from their parents. One of the most tragic aspects of this crisis is that thousands of children have lost their parents, making them vulnerable to trafficking and abuse. These innocent souls have already endured unimaginable suffering.
- Children born in refugee camps may become “stateless.” Many babies born to displaced families lack proper documentation, which complicates their ability to travel or return to Syria in the future. Hundreds of thousands of children could be left without legal citizenship, subjecting them to bureaucratic hurdles and potential exploitation.
- There are numerous ways to help. If you’re inclined to donate, consider checking out organizations on Charity Navigator to ensure your contributions make a real impact. Smaller NGOs frequently navigate logistical challenges more efficiently. You can also connect with local refugee resettlement agencies or volunteer with larger organizations like the International Rescue Committee. Welcoming refugees into our communities with kindness is paramount.
Additionally, it’s crucial to communicate with our congressional representatives, advocating for a compassionate response to this crisis. With over 20,000 cities and towns in the U.S., we can certainly accommodate more than the 10,000 Syrian refugees taken in this year. Mercy Corps provides a sample letter for you to use, and you can find your representatives to make your voice heard.
We must not let fear dictate our actions. Refugees are not the perpetrators of violence; they are fleeing from it. Syria was once a place of safety and cultural richness, and its decline represents a tragic loss for humanity. The pressing issue now is the millions who have lost their homes and are struggling to survive.
If we can’t find it in our hearts to help those suffering due to massive-scale atrocities, we must ask ourselves where our humanity lies.
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Summary
Understanding the plight of Syrian refugees reveals a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale, affecting millions. With most refugees being women and children, and many facing the threat of statelessness, it’s vital to step forward in compassion. By supporting reputable organizations and advocating for policy changes, we can make a meaningful difference in their lives.