Syrian Refugee Crisis: 10 Arab Organizations helping refugees

There are a number of countries and organizations that have held out a helping hand to Syrian refugees- Canada, Germany, The US-based Karam Foundation, Islamic Relief USA and The Syrian American Medical Society.

In the face of this help coming from these non-Arab companies and countries, many claim to be “astounded” by what they say is a lack of support from the Arab world.

While it may be true that some countries could and should do more to help, Elan wants to focus on Gulf based organizations that are doing remarkable things to help the Syrian Refugees. Here is a list of the top ten:

1) Eid Charity

In October 2015, the group spent over QR220m to support Syrian refugees in Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon along with citizens remaining in Syria.

According to the Director General of the Eid Charity, Ali bin Abdullah Al Suwaidi, the organization attaches great importance to its projects in an effort to ease conflict and disasters in the world. Currently, the charity is raising funds to build caravans for refugees.

2) SmallWorld UAE

Committed to lending a helping hand to the less unfortunate – and more specifically, to children – SmallWorld UAE is currently involved in helping Syrian children transition into a more stable environment through liberation and education. So far, the group has helped over 5,000 Syrian children, and is also active in 59 countries assisting local NGOs.

“We believe the biggest asset for humanity is the human being, and the only way to create a stable and peaceful world is through educated young minds,” said Salam Hamzeh Gaith, President of the five-year-old organization.

3) Qatar Red Crescent

Dubbing the crisis and humanitarian situation as “one of the most complicated it has ever seen”, the Qatar Red Crescent has offices scattered all across Syria, working with local organizations in order to provide the optimum amount of aid. Along with building clay houses that are designed to survive harsh weather conditions, the foundation is also involved in supporting domestic farming in order to regularly provide food and income for refugees and is also working with local clothing factories to open up an employment platform for women.

4) Qatar Charity

Currently operating a winter campaign, the charity organization has delivered over 2,000 food baskets in the Al Rihanniya area near the Turkish-Syrian border. Each basket contains enough to feed a family of five for one month. The foundation is also involved in distributing blankets, heaters/stoves, jackets and tents in the thousands.

5) Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization

A community-based organization in charge of managing the Zaatari Refugee Camp 10km east of Mafraq, which is home to over 83,000 refugees.

“The Syrian crisis is a huge refugee crisis … [and] humanitarian assistance is a permanent fixture for the foreseeable future, as politically there is no cause for optimism regarding a solution in the near future,” sai d Marwan I. Al-Hennawy, Head of the Division of Coordination, Communication and Programs at JHCO.

6) Mazola

Working with the JHCO, Mazola has donated its food products and blankets to the needy in Jordan. The company also provides first-hand assistance through hand-to-hand donations and donates staff assistance for whatever aid is required.

“It is everybody’s responsibility to help and restore the faith we once had in humanity. We are all one people and it is time we all came together to provide urgent assistance in whatever way we can to those in need,” said Vice President Simon Gottfried.

7) The Big Heart Foundation

This Dubai-based charity foundation recently launched a fundraising campaign to help Syrian refugees survive the harsh winter.

Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of Salam Ya Seghar (an initiative by TBHF), stated that the foundation wants to provide the refugees with “the most basic daily needs to help them overcome the new obstacles and crises caused by the bitter winter … [to] help them to live a dignified and safe life until they can return home after the crisis.”

8) RAF

Another Qatari organization, RAF recently launched a QR500,000 aid project titled ‘Immediate Response,’ which aims to improve the living conditions of refugees living in areas like Deraa and the suburbs of Damascus and Quneitra in Syria.

Along with providing medical supplies and diesel fuel to sustain hospital operations, RAF is also working to maintain local wells so that the refugees have access to clean drinking water.

9) Organization of Islamic Cooperation

An international organization that describes itself as the “collective voice of the Muslim world”, the OIC is headquartered in Jeddah, Saud Arabia and consists of 57 member states.

Currently, the OIC is pursuing “rapid political solutions to the Syrian conflict” and calling on setting up a transitional government, with full executive power, that can start working towards building a more united, democratic Syrian society.

Over 7 million refugees are collectively being hosted in OIC Member States with stress coming in from Jeddah for all “to open their doors to the Syrian refugees as a mark of Islamic compassion and solidarity.”

10) Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation

Under the patronage of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the UAE-based foundation launched a Dh6m winter campaign aimed at providing Lebanon-based Syrian refugees with blankets, clothing and food – items needed to survive the harsh winter weather.

“This aid comes within the framework of the UAE’s solidarity with the Syrian people, providing aid to help them face the extreme cold weather,” reported WAM, UAE’s official news agency.

Have we missed anyone who is lending a helping hand to Syrian refugees? Tell us! Comment and like Elan on facebook.