On July 30, Barnabas Fund received a report from one of its Christian partners, a doctor in Aleppo, a devastated city that has been forgotten as the world stands by and fails to intervene on behalf of its traumatised citizens.
He chose to stay to help those in need of medical care and is also heavily involved in co-ordinating Barnabas Fund’s aid to Christians, whose plight is worsening as the fighting rages on.
Here is his (heavily edited) report:
Christians in deep trouble
Our situation in these hectic, unpredictable days in Aleppo, with no food or meat or bread, no free movement, no security and no encouraging good news on the horizon, reminds me of the words of Habakkuk: ‘Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour’ (Habakkuk 3.17-18).
Where are we heading after two-and-a-half years of war in Syria and more than one year since the beginning of the war in Aleppo?
At national level, nothing has changed apart from more suffering and more losses of souls and belongings. More than 100,000 killed, more than a million and half refugees in neighbouring countries, and more than 3.8 million internally displaced people (IDPs).
Supporting extremism?
Sectarianism and extremism are flourishing and there is no glimmer of hope for a settlement. Following the retaking of al-Qusayr (a strategic region in the centre of Syria, southwest of Homs and near the border with Lebanon) by the Syrian army, the leaders of the Western world declared that it was necessary for them to arm the rebels to re‐establish equilibrium! What a way of thinking!! Do they simply want to re-establish equilibrium so that both sides will continue to fight ... to the last Syrian? Just imagine the satanic way of thinking! ‘But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Saviour; my God will hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise (with my nation). Though I (we) sit in darkness (since no electricity), the Lord will be my (our) light’ (Micah 7.7-8) (text in brackets mine).
Blockade of Aleppo
In Aleppo, the military situation is at a status quo but the humanitarian situation is almost catastrophic, considering three important facts:
First, the blockade of Aleppo has lasted now for more than 40 days. There is no more fresh food, no fuel, gas (for cooking) and very little bread. There remain only imperishable supplies ... but at astronomical prices — ten times the original cost which the majority cannot afford.
Just to give a couple of painful examples: one of the kitchens for the Christian charitable association ‘Al-Ihsan’, which used to provide daily meals for 35,000 IDPs (almost all from non-Christian backgrounds), has been closed down for lack of gas, fuel, staff and ingredients; the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), which used to provide 15,000 daily meals, will be closing down as well soon.
Second, mortar fire: mortars are fired every day by the rebels; they are home made but are still causing some deaths and seriously wounding dozens. Just in the last couple of weeks in our Christian community, a boy of 14 died; a girl of eight received a splinter in the brain; a young woman of 30 had to have her left arm amputated below the elbow; a man of 70 was wounded in the spine when coming out of church service. These are a few examples among many other tragedies.
Third, capturing and kidnapping Christians (mainly Armenian lay people): what a nightmare to every single Armenian and Christian who plans to leave Aleppo for a safe haven. Just four days ago, four young Armenian men were kidnapped while leaving for Armenia and, on July 29, two very young brothers (12 and 14) were kidnapped while planning to join their father in Istanbul, leaving their mother alone. So far no news or any information. If a ransom is requested, it will be unaffordable and unfeasible.
In this context of suffering and despair, we continue, as Christian humanitarian committees in Aleppo and all over Syria, to be there for the people, a glimmer of hope in the darkness that surrounds us. Where are we now with our projects and missions?
Three big projects
There are three major missions and works that we are carrying out:
Joseph’s Food Relief Aid: mainly supported by Barnabas Fund since 2011 for the poor Syrian families and IDPs. Till now we are supporting, on a monthly basis, more than 2,168 families through more than 17 local committees.
Isaac’s Water Supply — Digging Wells: supporting the societies and our heavily populated Christian residential areas with water, by digging wells in church yards, Christian school yards, monasteries or Christian institutions.
Luke’s Medical Care and Support: one of the Christian hospitals has set up a grant for ‘War-wounded patients’, making their treatment free of charge. More than 23 patients have benefited so far; each patient costs around 1,560-3,000 euros). Beside this, two new policlinics have been established providing patients with free consultations, medicine and surgery.
That is where we are. We resist pessimism, fatigue, discouragement and extremism. We serve the One who deserves to be served.
This report makes it abundantly clear that Syrian Christians are in desperate need of our prayers, practical support and encouragement. If you would like to help, please see: http://barnabasfund.org or phone 024 7623 1923.
