September 5, 2013
Syria
Since the beginning of August, Caritas CZ also helps the refugees in north Syria, in the regions of Idlib and Hama. For one year, several hundreds of families live here in the Byzantine ruins and their surroundings. These families have been getting the food vouchers for three months, to provide purchase of bread and get packages including the basic food items such as rice, oil, sugar and tea-these last them for about one month.
Because of the lack of food and the ever present stress and fear, many mothers are unable to breastfeed their children and need the formula. These families are given infant formula (Sunar) for three months. Trained nurses visit these families advising the mothers on infant nutrition.
In the whole region, people have very limited or non-existing access to drinking water. Therefore, one local humanitarian organization, with which Caritas CZ is cooperating, delivered drinking water tanks for about 1,000 families during a three month period.
Hope shines upon the Syrian families without fathers
Just like thousands of other Syrian wives, Susan does not know whether her husband died or remains alive. The civil war engulfs more and more Syrian regions, men are being killed, and many disappeared or have taken part in the fights.
Susan's husband Mohammed (53 yrs.) didn’t come back from work. Susan has no idea what has happened to him. After the fights developed to the neighborhood where the family lived, the wounded Susan took her kids and ran away from the violence. They left a ruined house behind them. They have found new refuge in other part of the country, in a small dumped room without running water.
Susan's kids are suffering due to unhealthy conditions and also because they’re unable to go to school. Her daughter Zainab also suffers from a blood formation disorder, which needs expensive medical care. Her son Amer has asthma. And the six-year old daughter, Baraa, has a urinary tract infection and is suffering from mental 
trauma. Without any income, Susan had no chance how to help her children. Just like other families, which have almost been destroyed by the pressurizing fears and stress and which had not seen a light of prospect in the future.
Caritas CZ supports the Syrian non-profit organization, for security reasons the name is not disclosed. Susan and other families have been visited by the team from this organization and has been given a helping hand, which they badly needed. Baraa has even received psychological help.
Pope Francis appeal
Pope Francis also called all the faithful to support Syrian refugees: “Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, I have decided to establish the 7th September, which is preceding the feast day of the birth of Virgin Mary, the Queen of Peace, as a day of fast and prayer for the peace in Syria, in Middle East and the whole world. I also call the non-Catholic Christians to take part in this initiative, members of other religions and all people of good will in a manner suitable for them.”
Caritas CZ public collection
Caritas CZ provides help to people living in north Syria and thousands of Syrian refuges who settled in Lebanon, Jordan and other countries thanks to public collection, which has been opened since 2012. The donations can be still sent to the bank account 55660022/0800 at Česká spořitelna with variable symbol 182.
We deeply thank to all donators. With their support, not only people in the northern part of Syria have a better chance to save their lives and improve their dreary situation.
