2. Background
At present there are are a number of crises that have gripped the Middle East. The current conflict in Syria has resulted in millions of refugees flooding into Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey and millions of internally displaced families within Syria. The United Nations has described the situation as the largest humanitarian crisis in recent years. The complex historical and political context within the region has resulted in increased uncertainty for millions. This is demonstrated in the recent events in Iraq where militants have taken over wide areas of Syria and Iraq resulting in large numbers of Iraqi refugees, the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine and political uncertainty in Egypt.
In recognition of the escalating conflicts within the region that appear far from being resolved, Caritas Australia has made a decision to open a Middle East Crisis Appeal. This will give the organisation the flexibility to respond quickly to requests for assistance from the Caritas network within the region. This appeal may also be directed to respond to other needs in the region should the situation change due to an escalation in conflict or natural disasters.

3. The uprising in Syria began in March 2011 between President Bashar al-Assad's regime and their opposition. There have been thousands of civilian casualties; hence Syrians are fleeing for safety to the bordering countries which include Jordan and Lebanon. Recent United Nations estimates indicate that more than 9 million people, approximately 40% of Syria’s pre-war population, have been displaced either within Syria’s borders or to neighboring countries.
Both Jordan and Lebanon have seen unprecedented numbers of refugees and their social services are overwhelmed. It is reported that a third of Lebanon’s population are now Syrian refugees fleeing from the violence placing additional pressures on host communities and national infrastructure. Many refugees arriving from Syria and now Iraq are injured, psychologically scarred and with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. While some live in refugee camps many survive outside refugee camps in urban settings; their needs are often not met through traditional channels and they have no legal opportunities for livelihoods. Therefore NGOs such as our Caritas partners, play a crucial role in supporting those refugees who cannot access services elsewhere.

10. Considering the widespread significance of the crisis, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference are inviting all Catholic communities to ask for the mercy of God for our persecuted brothers and sisters in the Middle East.   President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Denis Hart said, “We hear the plea of our brother bishops from the Eastern Churches and we join them in expressing our grave concerns about the suffering of the Christian communities, that trace their roots back to apostolic times, and the danger of their gradual disappearance from their ancient homelands”.
Archbishop Kassab said, “All the Christians of Iraq desperately need our prayers and support. These, our wounded brothers and sisters, were brutally forced to leave their hometowns and all their belongings in order to remain faithful to Jesus Christ”.

11. Caritas Australia’s Middle East Crisis Appeal enables us to respond quickly through the international Caritas network and partners to help people who have been forced to flee for their safety, who have lost loved ones, and who will bear the scars of conflict long after it is over.

12. Where will the money from the Middle East Crisis Appeal go
Where will the money from the Middle East Crisis Appeal go? Will it go towards individual countries or programs?
Caritas Australia is working with multiple partners within the Caritas network who are delivering country specific and regional programs. As a result much of the funding will support multi-country programs across the region; it would be challenging to allocate donations specifically to individual countries therefore a Middle East Appeal has been created.
We have previously supported emergency relief and recovery activities in Jordan, Syria, Turkey and Egypt and are currently supporting activites in Lebanon, Gaza and Iraq. Caritas Australia will respond to community needs and partner requests as they emerge. We are currently hearing reports that Cyprus are receiving Syrian refugees and anticipate a significant number of Iraqi refugees arriving in neighbouring countries.

16. By donating to this appeal, you will support a broad range of programs run in partnership through the Caritas Internationalis network and partners, operating in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq and the Palestinian territories.
Your generous support will help us respond quickly with our partners on the ground, particularly in situations where there is a spike or escalation in ongoing conflicts resulting in significant and urgent humanitarian need for those who need it most.