Syrian Refugees Written by: Anna Jensen

Forward In 2011, Syria’s economic problems and a lack of freedom caused many protests and uprisings against Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad. The government quickly took violent measures to quell the uprising, killing dozens of people. These uprisings, as well as the growing chaos, attracted extremist fighters throughout the region. This including remnants of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Kurdish forces, Jaish al Fateh, an alliance between the Nusra Front and the Islamic State (ISIS). Eventually, a full Syrian rebellion was mounted against Assad's regime. The government tried to stop these rebels by using chemical weapons. This caused many other countries to get involved—including the United States— to make sure Syria wasn’t killing innocent civilians. As tension continues to increases in Syria, more chemical weapons and bombs are dropped– causing much harm to the people of Syria. Millions of Syrians are fleeing for safety, but many countries are turning they’re backs. Yet, these refugees need us so much more than we know.

Maram, age 27, spent two nights walking over the eastern Lebanon mountains with her three kids, and one on the way, after living under siege in the Syrian city of Homs. Her husband had gone missing and she had no way to buy food, which made her only option becoming a refugee. After three attempts, she finally made it to Lebanon.

"This is my only wish, to see them grow.“ -Maram

“I was terrified,” Hayfaa says. “I wasn’t terrified to die “I was terrified,” Hayfaa says. “I wasn’t terrified to die. I was terrified for my kids. I was scared maybe I would lose one of them. … I just wanted to hold them in my arms and save them from everything. From dying, from the bombing.” Ibrahim Khalil Mansour and his family was forced to flee Damascus because it had become too dangerous. So one morning before dawn, him and his family quickly got up and left on foot.

“If we had stayed, someone would have definitely died because of the conflict. … I’m very grateful to Jordan and for being here with my family. I have the most gratitude, just being together and living together.” They found safety in Daraa, but they had nothing else. They settled in Zaatari camp, where months became years.

Many refugee camps are spread across Eastern Europe Many refugee camps are spread across Eastern Europe. In places such as Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Greece and the Republic of Macedonia.

A volunteer at one of the camps, Lori Lee, described the logistics of the camp in Serres, Greece. She explained how there is a warehouse where refugees can “shop” for the materials their family needed. Donations would come in daily to make sure all the families had what they needed. The families registered with the government would get tickets for meals.

There was a little school, to help teach the refugees English as well as some education. Lori Lee explains that the girls were the most excited about learning, as well as the farthest along. Even though they had gone through hard times they still looked to the future.

For some lucky refugees, they get to come to the United States a start a new life.

“Thank goodness it worked out this way because being able to study again means that my siblings and I have a chance to [make something of ourselves.] Like Hameed Muhammed and his sister—Yasameed. Coming to the United States has been a blessing for both of them.

Many are welcoming Syrian refugees into our country, and people are working to try to give even more refugees a fresh start.

“America gives you the opportunity to do what you want too do and be what you want to be. It is a good country. I feel like I have a future here.” –A Syrian refugee

Afterward The United States has promised that 45,000 refugees should be welcomed into our country by the end of 2018. Yet, according to stats, the United States is slacking off on this duty. Currently, with the numbers of refugees in the United States so far this year, the United States will not reach the refugee numbers it promised. Now is the time to rise awareness of these low arrivals. These Syrian refugees continue to need help. They need homes, friends, teachers; and we can make a difference. A volunteer brought up that because this crisis has been going on for 6-7 years, we often forget of the terrible things going on. Thousands die by the year, by chemical weapons, or by genocide. This is going on, and we can’t ignore that. The citizens of the United States need to take a stand and help these people. Whether it’s volunteering at a refugee center, donating items for incoming refugees or writing to your elective officials, we can make a differences. Our time is now. Choose to stand with refugees.

Works Cited Hjelmgaard, Kim. “Syrian Conflict Explained: How Did We End up Here?” USA Today, www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/04/09/syria-conflict-explained-bashar-assad/498756002/. “I Am Syria: Death Tolls.” I Am Syria, www.iamsyria.org/death-tolls.html. Maram. “I Fled Syria on Foot over the Mountains with My Four Kids. This Is My Story.” Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org/articles/lebanon-syria/i-fled-syria-foot-over-mountains-my-four-kids-my-story. Latta, Scott. “For Refugees in Jordan, Two Months Became Five Years.” Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org/articles/jordan-syria/refugees-jordan-two-months-became-five-years. “LHI REFUGEE CENTER IN GREECE: RESTORING HUMAN DIGNITY.” Lifting Hands International, www.liftinghandsinternational.org/serres. “Syrian Civil War Fast Facts.” CNN, www.cnn.com/2013/08/27/world/meast/syria-civil-war-fast-facts/index.html. I thank my Aunt Lori, for allowing me to interview her about her personal experiences with volunteering at a refugee camp in Greece.

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