SCOTS are being urged to remember Syrians whose lives have been torn apart by the country’s brutal war on the 10th anniversary of the conflict today.
The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) says that during that time numbers equivalent to more than twice the population of Scotland have fled their homes. As many as 12,000 children have been killed and wounded and, in what is the biggest refugee crisis on record, Syrians account for almost one-third of all refugees worldwide.
Almost the entire population of Syria (80%) now lives below the poverty line and an estimated three million have some form of disability or lifelong impairment due to a combination of violence and a broken health system.
Syrians now also face the impact of the coronavirus and those in refugee camps and informal settlements are at particular risk due to the lack of safe water and the ability to social distance.
Sciaf director Alistair Dutton said: “The Syrian war is taking an unimaginable toll on the lives of women, men and children caught up in this major humanitarian crisis.
“A whole generation of children is growing up knowing nothing but war and destitution, and more than half of Syrian children are missing out on an education. Sadly, these children also account for four out of five Syrian refugees.
“They represent the future, the hope for a ‘new Syria’ and the responsibility of rebuilding Syria will fall on them. These children and their families cannot be forgotten and desperately need our help.”
The Scottish charity head has also stressed that more needs to be done on an international level to help find a resolution to this protracted war.
Dutton added: “The Syrian conflict shows no signs of ending and the UK and the international community must put aside their differences and do everything they can to bring an end to the conflict in Syria and the suffering of millions of Syrians. Ten years is already too long and has caused untold damage. This must stop now.”
This month, the UK government announced it’s considering cutting humanitarian aid to Syria by 67%, and to Lebanon the second biggest recipient of Syrian refugees, by 88%.
The news was strongly condemned by Sciaf together with more than a hundred charities, as well as Conservative MPs and the leaders of opposition parties. The planned cuts will hit the world’s most vulnerable people hardest.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here