Refugee Response

SYRIA CRISIS RESPONSE

Since conflict erupted in Syria in 2011, approximately 4.8 million Syrians have fled the country and 6.5 million are internally displaced. Currently an estimated 13.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian needs in Syria, especially in Aleppo, have intensified at the end of 2016. Thousands are fleeing escalating violence and an estimated 250,000 people are in urgent need of help.

As a church this Christmas we are supporting World Vision Australia and Preemptive Love (through ACCI) funding the provision of lifesaving humanitarian assistance to people fleeing Aleppo.

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The current refugee crisis is something we simply cannot ignore.

Global forced displacement is at a record high. In 2015, 65.3 million people were displaced from their homes by conflict and persecution (UNHCR).

The Syrian conflict has caused 4.8 million Syrians to flee the country and 13.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Governments and agencies are struggling to respond to the scale and complexity of this crisis.

“At sea, a frightening number of refugees and migrants are dying each year; on land, people fleeing war are finding their way blocked by closed borders. The willingness of nations to work together not just for refugees but for the collective human interest is what’s being tested today, and it’s this spirit of unity that badly needs to prevail.”

– UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi

We believe that as the Church, the body of Jesus Christ, we must respond.

OUR GLOBAL RESPONSE - PRAYER

#middayBABYmidday

As our senior pastor Bobbie Houston has exhorted us, as a global church we are praying for Syria and the refugee crisis globally.

“Prayer is eternal. It carries no bias or prejudice. It transcends distance and barriers and can penetrate, sustain and bring comfort to a troubled or despairing soul on the other side of the planet. It is part of our spiritual weaponry and arsenal against all that is dark, oppressive and opposite to God’s true heart for humanity. It is something we may not fully understand this side of eternity – but if we are obedient, we shall see it unleash its miraculous power.”

“So, feel free to #setyouralarm at 12 midday and join a growing army of people – and let’s “fuel the atmosphere” with prayer that will make a difference.”

Pray For

Y&F

AN ACT OF REAL LOVE

Watch the Hillsong Young & Free ‘Real Love’ music video and participate in an act of ‘REAL LOVE’ – partnering with World Vision to support Syrian children and young people in accessing education.

Watch

STAND WITH REFUGEES

Hillsong United visited Beqaa Valley, Lebanon and are encouraging action in response to the refugee crisis in partnership with World Vision US.

OUR LOCAL RESPONSE

Like many of the local churches where this refugee crisis is on the doorstep, Hillsong is seeking to partner with both government and non-government organisations and provide assistance in whichever way we can. There is no one model for this response, but respond we must.