SYRIAN REFUGEES IN EUROPE Samaritan’s Purse response to the Syrian refugee crisis

THE SITUATION… For over two years Samaritan’s Purse has been on the ground in Northern Iraq and the Middle East working amongst refugees from Syria, providing food, shelter, aid and spiritual support. The majority of refugees are still based in the Middle East and our work with them continues to grow. However, hundreds of thousands of refugees desperate to start new lives in the West have rapidly streamed through Europe this year, overwhelming certain nations along their path. It is the largest crisis of its kind in the region since the Second World War. As countries in the Balkans feel overwhelmed they have closed their borders. This leaves tens of thousands of refugees without shelter, food or water.

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING… Samaritan’s Purse has deployed a multinational team of personnel to Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and Croatia to meet the immediate needs of displaced people. We are supporting trusted, local Christian partners with the aim of facilitating as many intersections between them and refugees as possible—offering a variety of physical relief and the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING… This young Syrian mother gave birth 3 days ago whilst fleeing. The baby had a skin rash so Samaritan’s Purse Paediatrician Dr Nathalie MacDermott assessed the baby and re-assured the mother in the transit camp before they continued their journey.

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING… Back packs have been distributed to refugees in Macedonia containing food, water, hygiene items, ponchos and toys for kids rain coats will also be distributed along with blankets We have distributed emergency food to refugees in Serbia and have further distributions planned.

OUR STAFF ON THE GROUND… From the stream of taxis and coaches spill hundreds of young men, older men, and families. This afternoon two police cars, a local church presence and the Samaritan’s Purse distribution point were the only markers on this crucial point in the refugees journey. People don’t stay long. They don’t stay anywhere long. On and on and on they go. With a local pastor, we distributed food and non- food items carefully selected by our partners on the ground. As expected, hygiene items were snapped up with particularly grateful thanks. -Alan Cutting, SP staff “ ”

Each day over the last few days approximately people have been crossing the border. Due to the situation on Lesvos in Greece we anticipate that in the next few days approximately 20,000 refugees will try and cross the border, probably around each day. At the moment it is raining and the temperature in the middle of the day is around 15 degrees celsius. People are wet, cold and exposed. Last night there were big concerns for the children and small infants as they had no blankets, some were distributed at the processing centre but only to small infants/young children. Infants are wrapped in plastic bags to protect them from the rain. Clothing is inadequate for the current temperature and the looming drop in temperature which will follow in the next few weeks. Soon it will not be possible for people to sleep outdoors as they will be at significant risk of hypothermia, particularly infants, young children and the elderly. -Dr Nathalie MacDermott. “ ”

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD… There are tens of thousands of children in refugee families. They have left absolutely everything behind and are frightened and dispirited. Sending a gift filled shoebox to a needy child is always worthwhile but never more so than now. This year we will be delivering thousands of Shoe box gifts to children in Iraq and Syria but also to refugees in the Balkans. Please help us bring joy and God’s love to needy children this year.

HOW YOU CAN HELP… Share: Facebook.com/SamaritansPurseUK Twitter.com/SamsPurseUK Donate: Text to give: DART01 £5 to 70070

HOW YOU CAN PRAY… Please pray for: The safety of those moving through Europe now, and ask God to bless our work as we seek to provide physical relief and share the love of Christ with them; Wisdom for Samaritan’s Purse staff around the world as our response continues to develop; Our personnel on the ground and our local Christian partners.