The Canadian Red Cross takes measures to aid the displaced in Syria

Topics: Our Impact on the Ground
| October 14, 2013

While the Canadian Red Cross, one of the largest non-profit aid and relief organizations in Canada, provides fast response to domestic emergencies and disasters, it also has global reach.

The civil conflict in Syria
For more than two years, violence in Syria has forced millions of people to flee from their homes. More than 100,000 people have been killed during the continuing conflict, with many more injured or detained. More than four million people have been displaced from their homes within Syria and two million people have fled Syria to seek refuge in neighbouring countries.

The Canadian Red Cross is responding to support individuals and families that have fled Syria and are now displaced in countries within the region. To date, more than 2 million individuals have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.

The Canadian Red Cross' efforts
The Canadian Red Cross launched the Syrian Crisis Fund to support Red Cross and Red Crescent efforts to provide assistance to the millions of Syrians affected by the conflict. Beyond the fund, the humanitarian organization has also partnered with the Finnish, German and Norwegian Red Cross National Societies to establish a field hospital in Jordan for Syrian refugees. More than 523,000 registered refugees have already arrived in Jordan, and this number is expected to rise. The field hospital will serve the refugee camp in Azraq, which is located in northern Jordan. It will provide both medical and surgical care, X-ray and other laboratory services as well as maternal health programs for women and children. Half of the refugees registered in Jordan are children.

Forty tons of medical equipment, medicine and other supplies have already arrived in Jordan, and the field hospital is designed to be operational for a full year if needed.

Make a difference
You can help the refugees whose lives have been impacted by the civil conflict. Donate to the Syrian Crisis Fund online or at your local Canadian Red Cross office today.