One thousand one hundred and forty-three* days. That is how long the civil war and violence has been terrorizing families in Syria. That’s 1,143 days of gun blasts, 1,143 nights of fear, 1,143 days of not knowing when life will go back to normal.
Amira knows the impact of those 1,143 days well. Originally from the outskirts of Halab, Syria, Amira fled to Beruit, Lebanon with her husband and five children half a year ago.
“We were starving and there was no bread,” she said of the life she left behind.
Amira is now one of 9,480 people who receive $80 of food vouchers each month. This not only helps Amira, but also boosts the local economy.
Her life in Lebanon was not much better. The country has been inundated with nearly 1 million Syrian refugees since the crisis began. This means that there is steep competition for housing and low-end jobs. It has also caused rent and food prices to sky-rocket.
Amira and her family slept on cardboard their first night in Beruit. Today, they have managed to acquire simple foam mattresses but they still crowd the family of seven into a single room in a building that is in disrepair. To get by, her sons buy and resell tissues on the street. It doesn’t bring in much.
A few months ago, a friend told Amira about World Renew’s food voucher program. Amira contacted World Renew’s local partner and was given assistance right away. She is now one of 9,480 people who receive $80 of food vouchers each month. She can use these vouchers at local grocery stores and merchants to buy the supplies she needs. This not only helps Amira, but also boosts the local economy.
World Renew is grateful that as the Syria conflict continues into its fourth year, we’ve been able to respond to the needs of families like Amira’s. Currently, World Renew is providing assistance such as food, emergency supplies, bedding, cooking tools, fuel, and rental assistance to 2,000 people in Syria, 1,000 families in Jordan and 1,825 families in Lebanon. While we’ve been blessed with financial support from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, the Canadian government, and the Integral Alliance additional support is urgently needed.
