Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - The Christian communities in Syria and the Christian Churches in the Middle East are heavily involved in helping and in solidarity toward all those who suffer because of the ongoing conflict: supporting refugees, impoverished families, the unemployed, marginalized, the sick, giving assistance without any distinction of religion, community, ethnic group. The embargo and the economic crisis, in fact, are putting a strain on thousands of families across the country. The aid of Caritas, explains to Fides His Exc. Mgr. Antoine Audo, Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo and President of Caritas Syria, "are concentrated in three main areas: health, housing rental, school aid." Indeed, "it provides medical care to thousands of people, children, elderly, while, on the other hand, it offers support to families by paying school fees for children, or provides assistance to the elderly and permanently sick." In Aleppo, Caritas is helping over 440 families, while in Damascus after the explosion of a bomb, Caritas has helped to repair the house of about 50 families. Caritas Syria, remarks the Bishop, is working with the support of Caritas partners in Europe and North America.
As reported by local sources to Fides Agency, also the work of support on behalf of the Churches of the Middle East has started. The "Middle East Council of Churches", an ecumenical organization that includes all the Churches of different denominations, has launched solidarity projects in Syria, thanks to the widespread presence of the various Christian communities in the country: in coordination with the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, displaced families in Qara and also in the area of Homs are being helped. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/6/2012)
