Six Years of War
The Syrian Civil War broke out on March 15th 2011. Six years on, the war continues. It is estimated that more than half the entire population has been displaced.
Image courtesy of www.newsweek.com
The 'Arab Spring' protests began in Tunisa just before Christmas 2010, quickly spreading to neighbouring countries in north Africa and the Middle East. They included Libya, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt and Syria. On March 15th 2011, a civil war broke out in Syria. While the majority of protests in the other afforementioned countries had faded away by 2012, the war in Syria continues and today enters its sixth year.
The war has had and continues to have a major impact on human life in Syria. It is reported that the current population is in the region of 17 to 18 million people. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) estimate that in excess of 300,000 people have died. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that more than seven million men, women and have been displaced. Some have been displaced multiple times. The UNHCR also states that over four million have fled from Syria - with women and children accounting for more than half of this figure. Many have gone to neighbouring countries in the Middle East.
Lebanon - a country seven times smaller than Ireland - has taken in over 1.5 million Syrians refugees since the outbreak of war associated with the 'Arab Spring'. According to the OLA Sisters in Kab Elias, located closeby to some of the main refugees camps in Lebanon, the situation is challenging for all.
Turkey has also given refuge to over one million Syrian refugees. Other countries that have taken in significant numbers include Iraq and Jordan. The footage below is of an informal settlement in Zaatari, northern Jordan. It was filmed in March 2016. The camp is home to more than 80,000 men, women and children. Last month, it was reported that the camp had been connected to the Jordanian national grid.
In recent times, some Syrian refugees have begun to arrive at reception centres in Ireland with eighty Syrian refugees arriving in the Roscommon town of Ballaghdereen this month.
Speaking last December, Sr. Mary Crowley, who teaches English to refugees in Cork, emphasised the importance of getting to know our new neighbours and '"to welcome new families into the neighbourhood."
She added that it "may be challenging to visit due to language" but suggested that we should try to ensure that "people don’t feel isolated - even a simple ‘hello’ or ‘welcome’, is always very much appreciated."
As we approach St. Patrick's Day, we are again reminded how St. Patrick was a 'stranger' to these shores.
Sr. Mary concluded that the ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ is just as important now as it ever was.
Click here to read a report by Sr. Josette Nasr on supporting Syrian refugees in Lebanon
Click here to read about the work of Sr. Mary Crowley in Cork
