8 ^th September 2015
PRESS RELEASE

SCIAF LAUNCHES REFUGEE CRISIS APPEAL

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) has launched an emergency appeal to help thousands of refugees in and around Syria and those fleeing into Europe.

Working as part of the Caritas family of Catholic international aid charities
SCIAF is already giving food, medical care and shelter to homeless families in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. Its sister charities, Caritas Italy, Greece, Macedonia, Austria and Serbia are helping refugees throughout Europe.

Families have fled for their lives with only the clothes they were wearing. Many have seen family and friends killed and are now frightened, hungry and sleeping rough. They desperately need shelter, food, water and other essentials urgently.

Alistair Dutton, SCIAF’s Director, said:

“The wars in Syria and the wider region are destroying the lives of a generation of innocent people. Only a political solution will deliver the peace and stability they need to return home. Until then, we must do whatever we can to care for those whose lives are being torn apart, whether they are in the Middle East or Europe.

“SCIAF is already giving food, medical care, accommodation and counselling to people still trapped in Syria and thousands of refugees in Lebanon and Jordan. Our sister agencies in Europe are helping many more who have crossed the Mediterranean.


“Please do whatever you can to help us respond to this dreadful situation.”

Pope Francis has asked for Catholics across the world to take practical action to help refugees while the Archbishop of Glasgow Archdiocese Philip Tartaglia has said the UK should ‘open its heart and border to the refugees’.

Since the Syrian war began in 2011, over four million people have fled for their lives across the border into neighbouring countries. Since the start of this year over 320,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean into Europe to escape persecution in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.


People can make donations to SCIAF’s Refugee Crisis Appeal by calling 0141 354 5555 or online at www.sciaf.org.uk .


Media enquiries to:
SCIAF: Val Morgan on 0141 354 5555 / 07914 408 589 / vmorgan@sciaf.org.uk

Notes to Editors
The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) works with people in some of the poorest countries in the world, providing emergency aid and practical long term support to those affected by hunger, poverty, war and disasters. In Scotland we bring together people in parishes, schools and across Scotland to lobby governments and big business with campaigns to address the causes of global poverty and injustice. Our mission is to create a more just world for all in which everyone can live life, and live it to the full. SCIAF is a registered Scottish charity, no: SC012302.