Emergency aid, totalling €50,000 is being sent for Christians suffering in the Syrian city of Aleppo with over half of it (€30,000) going on food aid and the balance providing for medical needs.The aid should last for the next three months.
ACN had already granted emergency aid for Syria totalling €150,000.
The Bishop of Aleppo, Antoine Audo, thanked the charity for, "helping Christians in Syria to keep their heads up and to feel that they're not alone, but surrounded by brothers and sisters who understand them and who love them in an active and selfless fashion."
Bishop Audo went on to say, “In Aleppo where the conflict is brutal, we do not know what awaits us. Pray that we remain in the peace that comes from Christ and helps us to incarnate Him through deeds and acts of charity.”
A week ago ACN had a phone call from a priest in Damascus who said that in one day they had four bomb attacks. He had to cross the city on foot, saying, “I felt as though I was in a surreal world. Most of the shops are shut and only a few are still open; the people have to make a bit of money to survive. As I walked I repeatedly heard a unanimous wail: 'Oh, my God,' a typical Arab expression."
He said that the situation is far worse in Aleppo, where the largest portion of Christians live. There the tension and fear are growing immeasurably.
“In the situation we're currently experiencing it becomes clear that religion is by no means something archaic, obsolete or simply a private matter, as we're so often told,” the priest said.
“The people can do nothing; they cannot bring about political changes. But they need spiritual support which will restore peace in their hearts.”
It has been reported that more than one million inland refugees are wandering from one city district to another and from one area of the country to another.
“The various church aid organisations are making great efforts to find money to restore some dignity to these people, to rent houses," he said.
It is not easy however as many children and young people have had to put up with being indoors in at temperatures of 38 or 40 degrees without fans.