The world is witnessing the largest refugee crisis since World War II.

Since conflict erupted in Syria in 2011, an estimated 250,000 people have died and over half of the population has been displaced. As of January 2016 there were over 4.6 million registered Syrian refugees and 13.5 million people inside Syria in need of humanitarian assistance. Behind the overwhelming numbers are faces and stories. There are families struggling to access the essentials, people experiencing trauma and loss, and scared children who want to go back to the home they once knew.

Most Syrian refugees are being hosted in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt. Turkey has taken almost 2 million and Lebanon has accepted 1.1 million refugees who now make up one fifth of the population. Host communities are straining under the continuing flood of refugees. In the face of the devastation and human suffering and beyond the fading media attention, the Church has an opportunity to show its strength and respond.

As one local church in Australia we wanted to play our part and with your generosity we raised over $212,000 for World Vision’s Syria Crisis Response, which reached approximately 1.1 million people across Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey. Key focus areas of the response have included water, sanitation and hygiene, food, education and child protection, health, and emergency supplies such as blankets and warm clothing for the cold winter. World Vision also provides child-focused support, such as safe spaces for children to learn and play. Your contribution has enabled life-saving support to reach vulnerable children and families in the midst of this crisis.

Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for not growing weary in doing good and for not averting your eyes or hearts from this continuing humanitarian emergency. As a Church we will continue to seek to uphold and support children and families affected by the Syria crisis both practically and in prayer. As Pastor Bobbie has reminded us regarding prayer, “it is part of our spiritual weaponry and arsenal against all that is dark, oppressive and opposite to God’s true heart for humanity.” Collectively we can be a powerful force for good in a hurting world.

Darren