Oxfam stands #WithSyria in Hong Kong and China

Kate Lee – Humanitarian and Disaster Risk Management Programme Officer

As a member of the International Programme Unit, my work has put me in touch with a lot of disasters and emergencies – the devastation following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, flooding and cyclones in India and Vietnam, a hurricane in Mexico, and violence in South Sudan and the Central African Republic, for example. But the Syria conflict has got to be one of the most heart-wrenching to see.

Though we are far removed geographically from Syria, the plight of its people remains close to our hearts here in Hong Kong. And today, the third anniversary of the conflict, our thoughts are with Syrians more than ever.

Children release balloons in Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan to mark three years since the start of the Syria crisis. (Muath Freij/Oxfam)

Three years of violence. Three years of fleeing. Three years of unsafe, unsanitary, and unstable living conditions. These are three years too many, and three years that must not be allowed to turn into a fourth.

More than 100,000 people have lost their lives, and there are now 2.5 million Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries, including Lebanon and Jordan. Though these hosts have show great generosity, it doesn’t change the fact that these refugees lack basic things such as water, shelter, healthcare and education.

A recent Oxfam survey of 151 households comprising 1,015 people shows that just one-third can clearly see themselves returning home, and of them, 78 per cent don’t know when this might be.

We hope this will be soon, and that in the meantime, countries around the world can make good on their promise to deliver US$2.3 billion for the humanitarian response.

Today, I will be standing with Syria along with my colleagues in Hong Kong and Mainland China, and I hope you will too.

You can find out more at #WithSyria, a group of organisations including Oxfam that is standing with Syrians. Scroll down to find out how you can hold your own candlelight vigil to shine a light of hope for Syrians, or head to the Facebook page for more. I’ll leave you with this clip from graffiti artist Banksy, which really struck a chord with me.