THE
P RTAL
July 2017
Page 20
Aid to the Church in Need
Refugees’ 6,200 mile
journey back to Syria
Murcadha O Flaherty, Press & Digital Media Officer of
Aid to the Church in Need tells a remarkable story
S yrian Christian
families who fled to South America and Europe are returning to homes they
were forced out of by violent extremists in 2014.
Franciscan
Fr
Ibrahim
Alsabagh told Catholic charity
Aid to the Church in Need that
15 Latin-Rite (Roman Catholic)
families have returned to Syria in
the last two months – adding that
a number of other families are
also hoping to come back to their
homeland.
Some refugees have travelled
more than 6,200 miles (10,000
km) to return home. “One family
returned from France, another
from Germany, three from
Venezuela and several others
from Armenia.”
He added, “The families who
have already returned tell us that
they are happy that the Church is
helping so many people”.
He said that internally displaced
families are also returning to
their homes and anticipated that
hundreds would return over the
next few months.
Father Alsabagh said, “A number
of families who have returned
from Armenia or Venezuela are
telling us that all the families
there also wish to return. For
example, over 400 families who
found refuge in Armenia are now
hoping to be able to return.”
Young boy in Aleppo
Father Alsabagh, parish priest
of the Latin-Rite St Francis of Assisi Cathedral, said,
“The situation in Aleppo is certainly better today. There
He added, “It is notable that when the Church helps
is security in the streets and in the churches. Although these families, they feel more secure and are willing to
there are still some suburbs on the outskirts of the return home.”
city that are in dispute, the bombings have ceased and
security has returned to the streets.”
Father Alsabagh thanked ACN benefactors for
helping rebuild 270 homes as well as for providing 170
“Nevertheless, the consequences of the war are scholarships for school and university education – as
still very much present, the people have been left well as training to help 2,000 young people and adults
profoundly impoverished, there is a shortage of work back into work.
and wages are minimal, owing to the devaluation of
the currency. There are only two hours of electricity a
He said, “I am most grateful. On behalf of all the
day and food prices have gone through the roof.”
Christians of Aleppo and all the families of the Latin
rite, I want to express to you my most sincere thanks.
He said, “The principal needs of the people are on We are praying for all of you that you may always have
the one hand help with the cost of food, electricity peace in your hearts and in your countries and that you
and healthcare. But at the same time we are helping may never have to go through the terrible experience
with the rebuilding of the city, which means not only that we have witnessed here in Syria.”
helping to rebuild people’s homes but also supporting
education and the formation of the young, so that they
Aid to the Church in Need - www.acnuk.org
can have a future.”
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