IsraAID Middle EastRefugee Crisis2015

Since the civil conflict in Syria began in 2011 it has emerged as one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with over 4.25 million displaced within Syria and more than 2 million refugees fleeing the violence into neighboring countries.

Beginning in 2013, IsraAID has been distributing relief items witin Jordan, expanding its operations to include Mental Health and Psycho-Social Services (MHPSS) training for Syrian and Jordanian professionals operating in refugee camps.

Currently there are over 500,000 refu-gees in Jordan, with 3,000 crossing every day. More than 75% of the refugee population is made up of women and children.

Jordan

Syria

Since January 2014, the Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI) has welcomed more than 1 million internal-ly displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing the unrest in other parts of Iraq. Those newly dis-placed add-up to around 200,000 IDPS from previous waves of violence since 2003, and to over 200,000 refugees coming from Syria.

They arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and with weather conditions ranging from extreme heat during the summer to sustained cold and snow in the winter, the situation is desperate. IsraAID, in partnership with a Canadian partner, is providing emergency relief items to thousands of displaced Yezidi and Christian families, and is launching education projects to support the overwhelmed Kurdish education system.

IraqSyria

Lesvos

AthensIsraAID Teams on Ground

Border Crossing

Land Path

Sea Path

Turkey

Greece

Macedonia

Serbia

Croatia

The Journey to Europe

On the 2nd of September, 2015, pictures of the lifeless body of 3 year old Aylan Kurdi captured the full extent of the human tragedy unfolding on European shores. Every day, up to 10,000 mostly Syrian refugees, fleeing conflict and violence, attempt the treacherous journey to Western Europe. Entire families ar-rive on the Greek islands tired, sick, and trau-matized, with the number of fatal boat incident growing daily.

IsraAID has emergency teams both on the beaches in Greece and at key border points in

Macedonia and Croatia.

At the first point of contact, on the shores of Lesbos, Greece, IsraAID’s predominantly Arabic speaking teams are providing life-saving medical services and Psychological First Aid (PFA) for traumatized and grief-stricken families and sur-vivors of boating accidents.

Further along the journey, IsraAID’s mobile relief teams are present in camps and on the borders of Croatia and Serbia to provide protection services, distribute emergency supplies, and identify special needs groups, emphasizing children.

With winter well on its way, and conditions worsening on land and sea, the situation is increasingly desperate, and IsraAID is committed to responding.

Lesvos

AthensIsraAID Teams on Ground

Border Crossing

Land Path

Sea Path

Turkey

Greece

Macedonia

Serbia

Croatia

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