A civil war that has lasted three years and claimed 130,000 lives looks to be no closer to a resolution. As of mid-February, peace talks in Syria have done little to change things, with both sides—the Ba’ath government and those loyal to the rebel front—blaming the other for violating earlier agreements while maintaining roadblocks to peace.
The sides disagree over who would and would not be included in an interim government and how to guarantee an end to the violence throughout the country.
The ancient city of Homs is the most recent site of intense fighting, with civilians trapped amidst the violence. The UN reports that across the country, more than three million people face similar horrors.
“Christians are afraid,” said Huda Kandalaft, director of Christian development at St. Andrew’s, Ottawa. “Two bishops have been kidnapped. Many clergy persons have been killed or kidnapped including nuns. Holy sanctuaries have been violated and desecrated. The Presbyterian churches in Homs and in Aleppo are destroyed. The Christians are backing the government now because the devil you know is better than the one you don’t know. They fear the worst if fundamentalists take control.”
Kandalaft came to Canada with her husband in 2002. Previously, she served as director of Christian development in the Presbyterian Synod of Syria and Lebanon, in Homs. Her brother, Rev. Samer Kandalaft, is minister at Kemptville, Ont. He came to Canada with his wife in 2007 after serving a Presbyterian church in the biblical city of Sidon.
“We still have family in Syria, many cousins, aunts and uncles,” said Huda. “Three years ago when the war started they had big hopes that things will end soon … but recently, they have concluded that they need to leave the country as life is becoming impossible. One of my cousins was kidnapped in Homs in Sept. 2011 and found dead after two days in the market street. Another cousin was kidnapped two weeks ago and was left alone after the kidnappers took his car, his wallet, and mobile phone.”
In addition to the never-ending violence, one of the biggest concerns is the near impossibility of getting aid to civilians, and the danger aid workers face when trying to do so. The UN estimates that there are 9.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria.
Despite difficulties, the Presbyterian Church in Canada is active in Syria through Presbyterian World Service and Development, which works through the Mennonite Central Committee and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. In 2013, PWS&D contributed to two aid projects, giving $50,000 in each case. Thanks to a four-to-one fund-matching program through CFGB, the total contribution was worth $500,000.
The projects have involved getting food aid to refugees in Lebanon, as well as those in the Qalamoun (Al-Nabk) region. In six months, the projects have reached approximately 38,000 refugees, bringing things like wheat, pulses, meat, oil and tea to those in need.
Chris Ewert, humanitarian relief and disaster recovery co-ordinator with Mennonite Central Committee Canada, said there are a number of challenges associated with getting aid into Syria.
“Border clearance can be a lengthy and complicated obstacle, as many of the local registered NGOs do not have the proper legal status to receive humanitarian aid shipments at the border. Once cleared, insecurity becomes the biggest challenge while goods are transported inland. There have been numerous incidents where aid has been confiscated, and where aid flows have been blocked at checkpoints.”
To work around these challenges, MCC has taken a local approach, purchasing items from smaller wholesalers located within Syria’s target areas.
“The use of these small wholesalers had a secondary benefit of strengthening the local economy and ensuring that sufficient stores of food remain available in the region once our response comes to an end,” Ewert told the Record.
Unrest began with protests against the government in March 2011, which quickly spread across the country. A month later, the Syrian army began firing on protestors, provoking an armed rebellion. The Lebanon militant group, Hezbollah joined the war in 2013.
Despite the enormous challenges, Huda and Samer Kandalaft try to remain hopeful.
“There is always hope. We believe in an Easter God who brings life out of death,” said Huda. “I hope the parties involved will come to a constructive dialogue. Until then, my prayer is, Lord have mercy on the people of Syria.”
