Stay up-to-date with Trócaire's work overseas, get news on key global social justice issues, and find out about our latest campaigns in Ireland and how you can get involved.
The slaughter in Aleppo has highlighted the appalling suffering endured by the Syrian people over the last five years.
Video: Trócaire’s Niall O’Keeffe speaks about the situation in Aleppo
Over 11 million Syrians are scattered across the region having been forced from their homes. They are living in tents and other basic accommodation, struggling to make ends meet and to provide for their families.
They do not know when this hell will end.
Trócaire is supporting innocent civilians trapped in this nightmare.
Through donations received from people in Ireland, Trócaire is delivering food, shelter and other vital support to people in Syria, as well as those seeking refuge in Lebanon, Greece and Serbia. We are also providing trauma counselling and education for Syrian children.
Children in class at the Shatila refugee camp in Lebanon’s capital city of Beirut. Photo: David O’Hare, December 2016
Trócaire is funding programmes in Aleppo, Damascus and other regions of Syria where people have fled. In Lebanon, we are providing support to Syrians living in camps along the border, and also to people living in refugee camps in Beirut.
‘I cry a lot but only when the children can’t see me’
Rabiha Khalil (36) is one person receiving Trócaire support in Beirut. She and her three children have been living in the Lebanese capital for almost five years. She is originally from Damascus but fled as a result of the fighting.
‘We thought it would only be for a few days and so only had a few clothes with us,’ she says. ‘We tried to go back to get more belongings but just missed being caught in an airstrike so had to leave with nothing.’
Rabiha Khalil (36), who is originally from Damascus in Syria, looks out over Shatila refugee camp in southern Beirut. Photo: David O’Hare, December 2016
Rabiha is receiving counselling and her children are being educated in a Trócaire-funded school.
On the Lebanon-Syria border Nofa Dergham (33) lives in a tent with her four children. She is originally from Homs in Syria but fled when a missile destroyed their house. Her seven-year-old daughter is in constant pain due to injuries received in a separate missile strike.
Nofa Dergham (33) with two of her daughters Dalaa (8) and Sydra (7). The family are living in a tent in a camp in the Beqaa Valley near the Syrian border. Photo: David O’Hare, December 2016
“I am worried about my children and what kind of upbringing they will have,” she says. “I worry about the children so much and I can’t sleep at night unless I am hugging them. I cry a lot but only when the children can’t see me.”
Nofa and her children are receiving food, shelter and training through Trócaire-funded projects.
By supporting our Christmas appeal you can help us continue to deliver aid to people like Rabiha and Nofa.
You can also take our action calling on your local TDs or MP to stand up for the people of Syria.
