June 23, 2013
Syria
Cold and unfavorable conditions burden the lives of refugees in the countries where they have fled to from their homes. They ran away from violence and now they are facing another crisis – winter. In December, more than half a million refugees crossed the borders of Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. Thousands more are coming these days.
Cold and unfavorable conditions burden the lives of refugees in the countries where they have fled to from their homes. They ran away from violence and now they are facing another crisis – winter. In December, more than half a million refugees crossed the borders of Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. Thousands more are coming these days.
A family of seven, which has been visited by Veronika Jelinkova, Caritas CZ coordinator for Africa and Middle East, lives in two small rooms and a small kitchen in Mafraq town. They have no income. These four adults and three kids from Homs town came to Jordan after their house was destroyed. They have to pay a rent of 110 JOD per month (around 3000 CZK). “How this situation will be sustained in the future is a question”. Veronika Jelinkova is worried, just like other workers from the humanitarian organizations in the region.
The stories of Syrian refugees in Jordan are very similar - UNHCR registers almost 170 000 refugees and here the help of Caritas CZ is focused. Some survive in rented venues in cities. Others live in garages, basement rooms and other unfinished buildings and flats.
Almost a fifth of all refugees – those coming without ID – must stay in the Za‘tari camps. This camp is in the desert, not far from the Syrian border. The situation has escalated here in the last months – low temperatures, snow, and winds have replaced the summer torture connected with dusty environment; managing the camp is growing complicated. Many refugees even prefer to go back to Syria.
But the situation in the towns is not really better. Those refugees who cannot afford the rent are threatened of being thrown out and going back to Syria. Now, the highest demand is for food and heating. Due to very bad security situations, the accessibility of these basic facilities is diminishing. It is the food, clothing, rent and other necessary expenses that Caritas CZ is financially supporting. Workers and volunteers of Jordanian Caritas and community centers are helping e.g. in Mafraq, Zarqa, Husson a Amman.
“In the first moments, you think the refuges at least have somewhere to be in Jordan. They have some room, although empty, they are alive, have no bad untreated wounds. But later you start to realize the other things connected – they have no sources for rents, have no jobs, no money for food, they came to the country with nothing and they even lack the warm winter clothes. And then you start to realize, the situation is very difficult and will have many consequences”, Veronika Jelinkova described.
At first, the refugees are speaking about more general topics, how the Jordanians welcomed them, what help they received so far, and what they need in the house or flat. When the topic turns to Syria and reasons for their escape, the atmosphere in the room becomes tense. People are really suffering due to the fact that they had to flee the country. Many still count on their return after the conflict ceases in a few months (six months ago they thought it would be weeks). As the talking develops, some refugees open up during their confessions and some even cry.
The situation in Syria and other countries is very tense. The economics of the neighboring countries are not strong enough to continuously withhold the ever growing numbers of refugees. Some countries have discussed closing the borders, which has not yet happened in any country. The refugees are also scared about their safety, and often they wish not to be photographed or to state their name. The Syrian secret service has a numerous presence in almost all neighboring countries. Releasing any personal data could have for some families a truly fatal consequence.
„Many families have lost some of their members. Many families have a child who is disabled. This situation is unfortunately typical for Syrians. Hence the call for help is even more urgent”, concludes the Caritas CZ coordinator with the findings of her visit.
“These situations are difficult. We can try to make their situation better by our work and help, we can provide some support, but we cannot bring their relatives back”, Veronica describes her meeting with Syrian refugees. “If you hear these kinds of stories daily and in different towns, different countries, you slowly start to create a shell around you and the reactions you initially had, do change. It is probably a normal process in order to be able to work in such situations. You take it more like information knowing similar stories are behind many families. The sadness transforms to work dedication, in order to be able to help the families at least in other areas, where your capabilities can reach“.
Caritas CZ in cooperation with partner Caritas Jordan plans to soon expand its initiatives also inside Syria (right in the capital of Damascus) and also continue on with its current support to Syrian refugees in Jordan.
