Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - The epicenter of the initiatives of solidarity in Damascus are Christian communities and local committees of the interfaith movement "Mussalaha" ("Reconciliation"), where the population lives in fear because they have seen "the war reach their houses". According to reliable sources of Fides, there are about 200 thousand internally displaced people from Damascus, who have moved from one neighborhood to another city or different suburbs, to escape the fighting. The revolutionary groups, in fact, are taking position in neighborhoods, buildings, houses of civilians who find themselves, therefore, in the crossfire. This huge movement of families, elderly women and children, predominantly Christian neighborhoods of Jaramana, Qassaa and Bab Touma have become oases of reception and solidarity, without distinction of race, community or religion. Young Christians coordinate the reception of the newly displaced in sending them to schools, churches, mosques and public buildings, where there is space to welcome them. The first humanitarian aid arrives thanks to a network of Christian organizations such as Caritas Syria, the "Middle East Council of Churches", the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Community of St.Egidio.
Young people are also providing basic public services, in a paralyzed city: for example, given the temperature which is over 42 degrees, the piles of garbage on the streets are a danger to public health, so volunteers are dealing with collecting the garbage.
With them are representatives of local committees of the interfaith movement "Mussalaha", which promotes non-violence and reconciliation. The Movement held a meeting a few days ago in Damascus, reiterating that loyalists or rebels can join the movement, with the only condition to give up weapons. Reconciliation, it says, can be built starting from families, tribes, clans, communities that meet and recognize each other.
According to Fides sources, in addition, thousands of refugees in recent months had taken refuge in Damascus, coming from other areas of Syria, are now turning back. Thousands flock to the province of Damascus, towards Qara, Deir attieh, Yabrud, Nebek, others flee toward the center of Syria or towards the north, to the industrial area of Hissia. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/7/2012)
