Humanitarian aid for Syria

Vulnerable families fleeing conflict in north-west Syria are to receive essential items such as blankets and mattresses thanks to £100,000 in Scottish Government funding.

Money from the Humanitarian Emergency Fund has been granted to the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) charity to help more than 6,000 people who have been displaced by fighting.

The newly funded project, to be delivered by the charity Islamic Relief on behalf of SCIAF, is part of a wider response that aims to help 46,500 people in north-west Syria.

Vulnerable families, including those with pregnant women or those headed by children or the elderly, will be given vouchers to pay for a choice of non-food items in shops, which will in turn support the local economy.

International Development Minister Ben Macpherson said:

“The recent conflict in north-west Syria has inflicted untold suffering on hundreds of thousands of people, compounding the misery caused by over eight years of civil war.

“At times such as these it is vital that the Scottish Government fulfils its role as a good global citizen. The Humanitarian Emergency Fund will provide essential aid to those in desperate need.”

SCIAF Chief Executive, Alistair Dutton, said:

“As this devastating conflict in Syria continues, innocent civilians desperately need help.  To make matters worse, a bitterly cold winter is fast approaching and many families are living out in the open or in derelict buildings. 

“This money from the Scottish Government will bolster our response to the crisis and help over 6,000 people in Idleb and Aleppo.  Working closely with Islamic Relief and our sister agency CAFOD, this emergency support will make a major difference to many women, men and children whose lives are being torn apart by this awful war.”  

Background

Syrian government forces have increased military action against opposition groups in the north-west of the country over the past four months, displacing 676,500 people.

The Humanitarian Emergency Fund provides aid in the aftermath of a crisis.

The HEF panel is made up of eight leading humanitarian aid organisations in Scotland who advise and access the fund: Mercy Corps, Oxfam, British Red Cross, Mission Aviation Fellowship, SCIAF, Christian Aid, Tearfund and Save the Children.

This funding is for the area surrounding Idlib in the north-west of Syria where the Syrian government recently escalated military activity against opposition forces. It is distinct from the Kurdish controlled territory in the north-east of the country and recent Turkish offensive military action in that region.