A visual display of the toll of four years of the Syria conflict on refugees
WASHINGTON-(March 23, 2015)– March 2015 marks the 4-year anniversary of the Syria conflict, which has resulted in over 200,000 casualties and displaced nearly 11.5 million people. To recognize the anniversary, leading international aid agencies are hosting a two-day exhibit called “Life in Refuge” that allows visitors a glimpse of the plight of Syrian refugees through individual stories and images, and to advocate for an end to their suffering.
The Life in Refuge event will be held on March 27-28 in Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., and will be hosted in a refugee tent to bring to life the refugee experience.
“We want to use these interactive exhibits to remind the public that millions of Syrians have had their lives turned upside down as a result of this war. They have lost homes and loved ones. Families have been separated across borders. The losses for children are heartbreaking, with many not only experiencing horrific violence but also having to forgo school to work and support their families,” said Jaime Shabalina, CARE policy advisor. “Everyone has been greatly impacted, but we chose to focus primarily on women and girls as they are often disproportionately impacted by crisis.”
The event aims to raise awareness among the public about the plight of Syrians displaced by conflict to not only build empathy, but also to inspire actions to stand #WithSyria and demand that our leaders do more to end the suffering and bring about a solution to this conflict. People will be asked to sign a petition calling on world leaders to prioritize desperately needed funding for humanitarian assistance, urge conflicting parties to stop attacks on civilians, and seek a political solution to the conflict.
Participants will also have the opportunity to publicly show their support of Syrians through the “Dear World Syria” photo project, which is an extension of an ongoing project by American photographers Robert Fogarty and Ben Reece. As part of “Dear World Syria”, people will write messages for Syria on their arms and hands and have their photo taken and then shared to stand in solidarity with the people of Syria.
Aid agencies hosting the event include: CARE, Oxfam, Save the Children, Islamic Relief, Syrian American Medical Society and Syria Relief and Development. To learn more, go to www.care.org/work/advocacy/life-in-refuge.
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Media contact: Holly Frew +1.404.979.9389 hfrew@care.org
About CARE: Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE has more than six decades of experience helping people prepare for disasters, providing lifesaving assistance when a crisis hits, and helping communities recover after the emergency has passed. CARE places special focus on women and children, who are often disproportionately affected by disasters. To learn more, visit www.care.org.
About Save the Children: Save the Children invests in childhood — every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
About Oxfam America: Oxfam America is a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice. We save lives, develop long-term solutions to poverty, and campaign for social change. As one of 17 members of the international Oxfam confederation, we work with people in more than 90 countries to create lasting solutions. To join our efforts or learn more, go to www.oxfamamerica.org.
About Islamic Relief: Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and disease regardless of color, race, gender or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. Islamic Relief USA aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish sustainable local development projects, allowing communities to better help themselves. Its programs benefit millions of people each year around the world, including in the United States
About Syria Relief and Development: Syria Relief and Development (SRD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing humanitarian aid to Syrians affected by violence, hunger, poverty, injury and displacement. The volatile situation in Syria has created a dire need for food, shelter and medical care. SRD is working to address these needs through our established programs within Syria and in surrounding regions. As of January 1, 2014, we have distributed nearly $23 million in aid to Syrians in need.
About Syrian American Medical Society: The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) is a nonprofit medical relief organization that works on the front lines of crisis relief in Syria and neighboring countries. SAMS represents thousands of Syrian American health professionals in the United States and works to rebuild healthcare and support medical workers in Syria. SAMS has supported over 1.3 million Syrians with healthcare and trauma support, and provided over $25 million in humanitarian assistance. From establishing field hospitals and training Syrian doctors to advocating at the highest levels of government, SAMS is working to alleviate suffering and save lives. SAMS has chapters across the U.S. as well as offices in Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Washington DC, and Ohio. For more information, visit www.sams-usa.net, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.