lessons from europe: how we can welcome refugees. a syrian perspective on the crisis
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Lessons from Europe: How We Can Welcome Refugees
A Syrian perspective on the crisis
Dr Monther AlhamdooshConsultative Board Member
Australian Syrian Association Victoria
Outline
The Australian Syrian Association Victoria The severity of the crisis Causes of the problem The 12,000 refugees who are supposed to
come to Australia
The Australian Syrian Association Victoria
Who are we? Australian Syrians. All are volunteers
What do we do? Raising awareness, Demonstration rallies, Information, forums,
Seminars, Community activities: Free BBQ, Fun Run, etc. How do we help?
Providing humanitarian aids to the people INSIDE Syria Fund
The severity of the crisis
> 16 millions need urgent assistance
> 12 millions displaced from their homes
> 4 millions fled the country > 200,000 were killed Around 300-400 thousand
imprisoned
The severity of the crisis
Children have no education since 3 years ⇒ a generation is lost Assad’s regime destroyed more than 4,000
schools Many schools became shelter for displaced
people Women are vulnerable
The severity of the crisis
No medical services More than half of the hospitals have been
targeted by the regime Lack of basic needs ⇒ the economy
deteriorated
Causes of the problem
Why do we have large number of Syrian refugees? The Assad’s regime caused more than 4 millions
to flee their homes between 2011 and 2013 ISIS made it worse by prosecuting people who
have different ideology from it Both entities do not distinguish between
Christian, Kurd or Muslim Sunnis. The prolonged crisis ~ 5 years
Causes of the problem
How to stop people from leaving Syria? Get rid of Assad’s regime and its allies (first priority) Get rid of ISIS
The 12,000 refugees who are supposed to come to
Australia Is it enough?
Turkey only hosts 2 millions Jordan 800 thousands Lebanon around 1.2 millions
Minority vs majority 85% of Syrian Muslims 10 % Christians
The 12,000 refugees who are supposed to come to
Australia How can we help them integrate with the society?
Help them find houses (not easy to rent for new arrivals) to settle
Help them learn the language Help them find jobs when they arrive Provide psychological support to children
(traumatized) Any help is highly appreciated and needed.
Contact us
Australian Syrian Association Victoria P.O. Box 274, Fawkner, Victoria 3060 Email: [email protected] Phone: 0416 866 983 Website: www.asavic.org.au Facebook: asaoz