‘Governments must do more to meet the immediate need in Syria’ say Churches 

Joint Public Issues Team statement: Churches urge governments to provide necessary funding for Syria’s suffering and displaced people 

Picture: Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan/U.S. Department of State

Four major UK Churches have called on governments to provide substantial new funding to alleviate the suffering of the people of Syria including refugees in the neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan.

The call from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church comes on the eve of the 2016 international pledging conference for Syria taking place in London.

In 2015, following the last international appeal by the United Nations (UN), less than 60 per cent of the required funds were raised.

The UN have stated that a further $7.7 billion will be required in aid to the vulnerable people in Syria and support Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey who host the vast majority of Syria’s 4.6 million refugees.
 
Mr John Ellis, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church said:  “We welcome the UK's commitment to aid for Syria, and our Government's initiative in hosting this international pledging conference in London. We want every refugee child in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey to have the opportunity to attend school - but this aim, as outlined by the United Nations, needs funding. It is our sincere hope that the international community as a whole will substantially increase its commitment to a situation that is worsening as we speak. Increased funding will mean that those currently affected by the hostilities will not have to suffer unnecessarily in the years to come.”

The Rt Revd Dr Angus Morrison, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, who has recently returned from a visit to Egypt where he met with Syrian refugees, said: “To see close up the human catastrophe which is unfolding in Syria and the surrounding region, is harrowing, distressing and deeply humbling. We have to do more, meeting immediate need within Syria and the wider region whilst redoubling our efforts for a lasting and just peace.”

Warning that churches have been targeted even while full of worshippers on a Sunday, the Revd Dr Mary Mikhael, spokesperson for the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, said: “As the Syrian tragedy continues to unfold, the Christian community is deeply concerned about its future. Churches and ancient cathedrals in Damascus, Homs, Aleppo, and other places are being purposely targeted by armed groups, and many have been destroyed.

"Will Syria, once considered the cradle of Christianity, become empty of the nation’s Christian community? This is our deep fear. Over 1.2 million Syrians have fled into nearby Lebanon and continue to endure unimaginable hardship. The Christian communities of Syria and Lebanon appeal for peace, justice and relief for the millions displaced and refugees.”

The Revd Jenni Entrican, President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, said: “2000 years ago not so far from Jordan and Syria, Mary, Joseph and Jesus were displaced. They were forced to rely on the good will of those they did not know and their needs were met by the generosity of strangers. The biblical story of Jesus’ birth reminds us that behind the huge figures for displacement are stories of real people who through no fault of their own find themselves innocent victims of war.”

The Revd Steve Wild, President of the Methodist Conference, added: “The bombing and shelling of civilian areas by the Syrian Government and other groups has caused immense death and suffering. The disregard for civilian life has been shocking; it is callous and totally unacceptable even in war.” 

In the light of the recent deaths from hunger in the Syrian town of Madaya, Mr Wild continued: “It is a fundamental principle under international humanitarian law that those fighting a conflict must not restrict the delivery of aid to victims. The parties to the conflict who are meeting in Geneva must tackle this issue. They have a responsibility to ensure that life-saving aid gets to all in need.” 

This challenge to governments follows on from a combined statement on Syria issued in December 2015, in which the same four Churches challenged the divisive rhetoric that sets communities apart and committed themselves to prayer for those suffering conflict and for those tasked with negotiating solutions and bringing security.