AMU, in collaboration with the Focolare Movement, has been present in Syria since 2011. The emergency program includes interventions to support families in accessing essential goods and services, social and health care assistance and support for basic education.
The Syrian crisis began on March 15, 2011. Years of war followed that tormented the country with very serious psychological, economic and social repercussions. The current situation in Syria is increasingly difficult: the population continues to pay the consequences of the embargo imposed by the West. In recent years, the living conditions of the population have further worsened due to the economic crisis in neighboring Lebanon – to which the Syrian economy is inextricably linked – with unemployment and the devaluation of the currency on the rise. Poverty affects – according to United Nations data – approximately 90% of the population , who are unable to satisfy even their primary needs for food, health and education. Therefore, the need for protection, psychological assistance and adequate recovery therapies continues to be very strong, especially for minors and people who have become ill as a result of the conflict. https://youtu.be/Sh7R6CxB8Kc In 2022, the energy crisis has worsened further : in many cities, electricity only arrives for a few hours a day, at an undefined time, and its cost has increased fivefold. This affects the possibility of keeping production activities open and domestic life, which depends on the short life of batteries, when they are available. The lack of fuel and its excessively high cost worsens the situation of public transport, on which the population depends, and makes it impossible to heat homes in winter.