Durban - A KwaZulu-Natal based humanitarian relief organisation is delivering 1 000 tons of flour in strife-torn Syria.
The Al-Imdaad Foundation’s ‘I need you - Syria Flour’ campaign is sending 40 trucks laden with the flour to bakeries which will provide fresh bread to impoverished Syrian families over the next few weeks.
“Extreme hunger is everywhere in Syria,” said the project co-ordinator, Mahmood Asvat, who joined a team from South Africa and the UK in the country, where the humanitarian disaster has been emphasised by the UN and many international organisations.
More than six million Syrians have been displaced, and more than half that number have fled to neighbouring countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt and Iraq and become refugees.
Millions more have been left in poor living conditions with shortages of food and water.
“The look in the children’s eyes displays a sense of despondency, not knowing where their next meal is coming from,” said Asvat.
The foundation, based in Estcourt, has a long-term food security programme for some of these hungry people.
“Food parcels are an immediate response to alleviate hunger, and our network of bakeries inside Syria not only provides fresh bread daily, but also creates jobs that enable Syrians to earn and fend for their dependents,” Asvat said.
The campaign was launched from the Turkish border cities of Bab Antakya, Gaziantep and Sanliurfa in November.
The foundation has partnered with 35 bakeries in Syria for this specific project
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It has also completed the first South African-built containerised village inside Syria.
“We have begun establishing a second containerised village due to the current increase in the number of internally displaced people.
“An orphanage for Syrian children who have lost both parents has been established in Kirikhan, Turkey,” Asvat said.
Al-Imdaad has also established a school and a trauma centre in Syria which has been supported by women’s groups across South Africa.
“We thank our donors and various well-wishers for showing their unstinting support to the Syrian people and for making these projects possible,” said Asvat.
Working in over 32 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, the Al-Imdaad Foundation strives to help the poor overcome suffering endured due to natural disasters and lack of life’s basic necessities.
Closer to home, it has several programmes, including one that provides blankets to needy communities in Durban.
For more information contact the Al-Imdaad Foundation on 0861 786 243.
Daily News