The humanitarian needs inside Syria have reached unprecedented levels and continue to increase, with millions displaced inside the country in search of safety. Many of them are dependent on humanitarian aid. Almost two million people are receiving aid every month from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) in collaboration with local NGOs, and supported by the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
All over the country, about 3,000 SARC volunteers continue to provide essential assistance. By the end of March 2013, SARC has been supported by the IFRC with food and non-food items for more than 470,000 persons, including 46,000 tarpaulins, 230,940 blankets and 123,800 mattresses. Since the beginning of the year a total of 52 trucks dispatched by IFRC’s global logistics services with relief items.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Syria Crises operation.
Through the current emergency appeal, the IFRC is seeking CHF 39.5 million for SARC to be able to support 650,000 persons with relief items and health care until the end of December 2013.
Norwegian President Sven Mollekleiv has visited Syria to witness the work of volunteers from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent as they provide vital medical services, food and psychosocial support in areas of conflict. Mollekleiv calls on the international community, international donors and other humanitarian organizations to increase their support and help prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
Blog: "Maybe I will be arrested and maybe I will die"
Dr. Mohamed Noor Al Nassan, a Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer, recently visited London and wrote a guest blog for the British Red Cross.
Julia Brothwell visited Jordan for the British Red Cross she took down her impressions from refugee camps in a guest blog for the British Red Cross.
Waiting for the Conflict to end:
The British Red Cross has also developed an interactive map to show the current operations taking place in Syria by SARC and its partners.
Merlijn Stoffels, who works for the Netherlands Red Cross, visited Syria last month. He wrote a day-by-day account of his experiences in the country, which I’ll be sharing with you all this week. Part 1 / Part 2
Recent news stories from Syria