This month marks 5 years since the start of the deadly civil war in Syria. The conflict has claimed at least 250,000 lives. More than 11 million people—half the population—have had to flee their homes. Countries like Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon bear a heavy burden as their economies, social services and infrastructures struggle to absorb an estimated 4.1 million refugees. Half of all Syrian refugees are children.

A “cessation of hostilities” since February 27 has helped to reduce fighting considerably inside several of Syria’s most besieged areas, allowing the United Nations to deliver critical humanitarian aid. Still, a cease-fire and peace deal remain

Khuzama sits at her desk in a CRS-supported class for Syrian refugee children who have missed or are behind in school. A top student, Khuzama hopes to be a doctor someday. Photo by Oscar Durand for CRS

THE MIDDLE EAST EUROPESYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS REFUGEE CRISIS

March 2016

This update provides the latest snapshot of the most pressing humanitarian emergency responses. Catholic Relief Services teams and partners are carrying out vital emergency relief and recovery efforts around the world. Our work is possible thanks to the generous support of private and public donors, the dedication of local partners, and the unwavering presence of Caritas and the local Catholic Church.

GLOBAL EMERGENCY SNAPSHOT

elusive. Renewed U.N. peace talks are taking place this month and will focus on issues of Syria’s governance and new constitution.

Since the onset of the crisis in 2011, CRS has helped more than 1 million Syrians. Working with Catholic Church partners across the Middle East—including in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt—CRS provides food, living supplies, medical care and livelihoods support. Educational, recreational and counseling programs are supporting children. In this new video, visit CRS-supported classrooms for Syrian refugee children in Jordan. Find out more about the crisis and CRS resources here.

The refugee crisis continues to grow and evolve rapidly. On March 10, all Balkan states closed their borders to refugees and migrants. These countries had been a major pathway for those attempting to reach Germany, Sweden and other nations preferred by asylum seekers. New laws and border closures leave thousands stranded in Greece. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that up to 200,000 people could be stranded in Greece by summer.

The challenges have been particularly significant in Greece, through which 70 percent of the more than 1 million people who arrived in Europe last year traveled. Already in 2016, at least 132,000 refugees and migrants have arrived in the country. With their options in flux and conditions increasingly perilous, refugee families—a vast majority of which have fled war-torn Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan—need food, basic supplies, shelter, and clear information about legal options for seeking asylum and international protection.

1 million SYRIANS HAVE BEEN HELPED BY CRS

ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST AND EUROPE

CRS and our Church and local partners have helped 341,046 people in Greece, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Albania and Bulgaria. Support has included food, winter clothing, sanitation, temporary shelter, legal aid and translation assistance. We continue to adapt our priorities to the evolving situation.

Catholic Relief Services, 228 W. Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21201For more information, call 877-435-7277, email info@crs.org or visit crs.org.

March 2016

A Ukrainian woman registers for support from CRS and Caritas. Photo by Caritas staff

Brothers Juan Carlos and Kevin, Colombian refugees in Ecuador, show artwork depicting their feelings. Child psychologists say dark colors represent fear. Photo by Óscar Leiva/Silverlight for CRS

In Ethiopia’s Rift Valley, herders drive animals long distances in search of water. Photo by Nancy McNally/CRS

The crisis between Ukrainian government forces and separatist groups in the eastern Donbas region has affected 5 million people since April 2014. More than 1.4 million people have been internally displaced, and another million have fled as refugees, mostly to Russia. Humanitarian access to nongovernment-controlled

EASTERN UKRAINE

ETHIOPIA

INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT

DROUGHT

areas has been severely restricted. Checkpoints continue to pose danger for people trying to cross, most often to seek medical attention, access their banks or care for family members. With the collapse of the economy, many have depleted their savings, sold their belongings, gone into debt or even returned to insecure areas.

CRS is working with Caritas partners to provide relief in the eastern third of the country, including cash grants for 10,650 people to cover urgent expenses like food and shelter; childcare activities for 800 children; and peer support activities for adults. We have also helped 210 former small business owners restart business activities. Already, 87 percent are generating revenue.

One of the worst humanitarian crises in the Western Hemisphere continues to be the conflict between the government of Colombia and the guerrilla movement, FARC, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. Millions of people have been forced from their homes and many have sought refuge in Ecuador—where 60,500 Colombians are registered as refugees—and another 170,965 have applied for refugee status. They face many challenges, having left behind jobs, social support and security. Most of the women are victims of violence. Children and youth are especially vulnerable as they are easy prey for human trafficking networks.

CRS is scaling up efforts to support 13,000 Colombian refugees and vulnerable Ecuadorians with comprehensive activities that ensure food, medical care, psychosocial support through counseling, livelihood support and prevention of gender-based violence. We also provide training for children and youth on peacebuilding, and life and vocational skills. CRS continues to strengthen human rights systems built to protect children from abuse and exploitation.

NEPAL EARTHQUAKE

It has been nearly a year since a powerful earthquake leveled more than 500,000 homes and claimed 8,669 lives in Nepal. CRS and Caritas Nepal continue with major recovery efforts in Gorkha district and, so far, have assisted 171,620 people.

Specifically, we have provided emergency and transitional shelter to 22,915 families; water, sanitation

Two failed rainy seasons last year have led to severely reduced harvests and a shortage of food. Families are struggling to get by, and malnutrition is rising. Without rainfall or immediate assistance, those in need of emergency food aid could surpass 15 million this year. CRS is increasing efforts to provide emergency food aid to 2.2 million people. We are investing heavily in seeds for the current planting season. Activities include organizing seed and voucher fairs; distributing seeds from local and regional suppliers; supplying animal feed; and planting hundreds of acres of farmland.

and hygiene kits to 10,604 families, schools and health posts; support to 404 vendors to recover their livelihoods; grants to 16,774 families to buy shelter supplies; winter kits for 7,180 families; and training of 142 masons on earthquake-resistant shelter reconstruction techniques. We are now helping communities lay a foundation for full recovery, with an emphasis on strengthened markets and safe shelter.

ECUADOR REFUGEE CRISIS