World Vision appeals for funds for refugee crisis

World Vision appeals for funds for refugee crisis

World Vision has launched an appeal to raise funds for the millions in Europe and the Middle East affected by the growing refugee crisis.

As the Syrian conflict continues, its impact is now reaching beyond the Middle East. More than 300,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean Sea since the beginning of this year, and 2,500 people have drowned on the journey.

Those fleeing the Syrian conflict make up the largest number of refugees arriving in Europe. But it is not just these refugees in need. World Vision warns that there are still 13.5 million people who have been forced to leave their homes and are in desperate need across Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, the Kurdish Region of Iraq and in Syria itself.

“It is the Syrian conflict which is at the root of the current refugee crisis,” says World Vision CEO Chris Clarke. “If we do not bring an end to the conflict in Syria, families will continue to risk their lives simply to live. Ending the 'refugee crisis' starts with ending the fighting in Syria.”

World Vision is on the ground right now providing life-saving aid to children and their families fleeing the Syrian conflict and are asking the public to support the aid effort.

“As the Syrian crisis deepens, we need to step up our response. New Zealanders’ reaction to the recent stories and images coming out of Europe has shown that this is an issue which Kiwis care about deeply. World Vision will continue to respond to this crisis for as long as children and families need us, and once again, we need your generous support,” says Clarke.

“But it’s not only up to us as citizens to respond, our government can and should do more to ensure that the core reasons for this crisis are addressed.”

World Vision New Zealand supports the call to increase the refugee quota in New Zealand, but believes more needs to be done to address the cause of the crisis.

The humanitarian agency believes that to address the source of the problem and protect refugees, the New Zealand government needs to undertake the following measures:

The New Zealand government needs to use its seat on the Security Council to put pressure on European Union member states to fully support refugees, remove the right of the permanent five members to veto interventions, and to protect refugees fleeing from war-torn countries, half of whom are children.

The New Zealand government should match every dollar spent on military deployment and training with an equivalent dollar for the humanitarian response.

Without further humanitarian aid to Syria and border countries, more refugees will continue to flow into Europe.

The public can donate to World Vision’s response here: www.worldvision.org.nz/syria or on 0800 800 776

/ENDS

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