The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is leading a response to assist Syrians displaced by the civil war in the Middle Eastern country.
Baptists around the world are being encouraged to make donations to the BWA to alleviate what has developed into an urgent need. The BWA has sent an initial grant of $15,000 for the relief effort.
Since the outbreak of violence in Syria in March 2011, the humanitarian situation has continuously deteriorated.
As the crisis escalates, mass displacement continues across Syria. According to the United Nations, 2.5 million people are in need of assistance, with 1.2 million people internally displaced throughout the country.
The crisis has forced people to leave their homes and livelihoods. Every day of violence adds to the number of displaced moving in search of safety.
The key problem is access to food. The longer term forecast for food availability and affordability in Syria looks bleak with the economy continuing to unravel.
Those immediately affected by the violence in the hot spots have lost access to the most basic items and are desperately in need of food supplies.
The BWA is working with its partners in the Middle East and within Syria itself to meet the urgent need.
The aim is to enable local Baptists to respond to the immediate food needs of the internally displaced and others affected by the violence in their wider area.
The Baptist Convention of Syria, a BWA member organization, has an estimated 600 members in 10 churches.
Donations may be made online at BWAnet.org or sent to:
Baptist World Aid
405 N. Washington St.
Falls Church, VA 22046
USA
The Baptist World Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Gifts for programs of the BWA may be tax deductible in the United States. All donors will receive a receipt for their donation for income tax reporting purposes.