Isn't it time for peace in Syria?

Intensifying hostilities, hunger, homelessness, displacement and political uncertainty threaten to create Syria’s worst humanitarian crisis so far.

On March 15, 2017, a day that sadly marks the sixth anniversary of the outbreak of the war in Syria, we wish to acknowledge the outstanding work...

Since the siege in East Aleppo ended last month, the cold weather has taken a severe toll on the estimated 50,000 Syrians remaining in East Aleppo, who sought refuge in temporary shelters or severely damaged buildings, and...

After five years of providing humanitarian aid to Syrians, whose country is being destroyed by violent conflict, Development and Peace added to its response by launching an advocacy campaign in the spring of 2016

In towns and cities across the country, Canadians committed to peace and justice marked the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi by offering hope to the people of Syria through prayers and solidarity.

Today, on International Day of Peace, we wish to share with you a message from our partner Caritas Syria. Syrians need peace now.

As Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion returned from his first meeting with the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) in Vienna, Austria on May 17, Syrians in besieged areas continue to struggle to survive, and Syrians around the world are attempting to keep hope alive for an end to this tragically long conflict. 

The #withsyria movement, which is a coalition of organizations worldwide that includes Development and Peace, wants as many people as possible show their solidarity with the people of Syria today.

On the eve of the fifth anniversary of the start of the war in Syria, Development and Peace is launching a national advocacy campaign that is calling on the Canadian government to take concrete measures in the Syrian peace process and to address the many challenges that civilians face in their own country, as well as those encountered by refugees who have fled into exile in neighboring countries.<.

Development and Peace welcomes the announcement made this week by the Government of Canada to increase the amount allocated to humanitarian aid and long-term development to help Syrians who have been suffering from the tragic consequences of war for almost five years now.

For Syrians living in besieged neighbourhoods daily life is a struggle. Apart from the destruction of infrastructure, high unemployment, complete lack of services, there are the bombs that fall daily.

Across the country, Canadians are opening their doors and their hearts to welcome 25,000 Syrians who have fled the atrocities of war in their country. However, this big number represents just a small amount of the people affected by this war. 

The Catholic Church in Canada is mobilizing to respond to the growing refugee crisis that is currently affecting Europe and the Middle East.

Development and Peace is increasing its aid to those affected by the crisis in Syria, both within the country and in countries that have taken in refugees.

Syria has just entered into its fifth year of war, and there is no end in sight for the Syrian population living through this violence and insecurity.

The conflict in Syria has been ongoing for over three years now, and it has forced 2.8 million to flee the country. It is a shocking number that makes us take a moment to reflect on the sheer number of people who have abandoned their homes to escape the violence.

March 15^th marks three years since Syria entered into a civil war that has had devastating impacts on the Syrian population and enormous repercussions on the entire region of the Middle East. This crisis shows few signs of abating, and the humanitarian needs continue to rise with each passing day that this crisis endures.

Since its founding in 1967, Development and Peace has been working in the Middle East, responding to recurring humanitarian crises in the region.

Laith Eskander is drinking his coffee. I am too. We need it! It must be only 10 C in the schoolyard of the Rome Catholic School in Amman, Jordan, where we are standing. Yet, the cold hasn’t stopped over 200 young adults from trickling into the yard to wait for their night classes to start.

Development and Peace with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada will be providing $5.4 million in humanitarian aid to victims of the crisis in Syria.

The conflict in Syria has intensified over the last few months. With increased violence, people are continuing to flee the country. However, there are those who can’t leave and as such, they must cope with ever-worsening and arduous conditions. There are now 4.5 million people within the country who are displaced, which is the equivalent of about 20% of the population.

With the civil war in Syria showing no signs of abating, those who fled their homes and became refugees in neighbouring countries, continue to wonder if they will ever be able to return to their homeland, while others continue to make the heart wrenching decision to leave to escape the violence at their doorsteps.

The extremely violent conflict rocking Syria for the last two years has led to the death of nearly 93,000 people, has caused over 4 million individuals to become internally displaced, and has forced more than 1.6 million others to flee to neighbouring countries.

The ongoing civil war in Syria has created an acute humanitarian crisis for the population. Many civilians have fled to neighbouring countries to escape the violence and are now living in refugee camps or trying to get by with little or no resources at their disposal.