The Isle of Man will be taking part in the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal this weekend collecting for the millions of people who urgently need aid due to the ongoing conflict in Syria.
It is estimated more than four million people require help after the past two years of war. In many parts of the country the health system has effectively collapsed, water supplies have been cut and food is in short supply.
In addition, over one million people have now fled to the neighbouring countries of Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. Refugees are arriving at camps which are already stretched to capacity, and many families are living in crude shelters they have built themselves, in overcrowded conditions or in partially finished buildings.
The number of refugees fleeing the country has increased from 1,000 a day at the beginning of the year to over 8,000 a day.
DEC appeals in the Isle of Man are co-ordinated by the One World Centre. Volunteers will be collecting for the appeal in Douglas on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. Collections will also take place on Saturday in Ramsey, Port Erin, Peel and Castletown from 9am to 5pm. More volunteer collectors are needed – anyone who is able to help is asked to call Rosemary Clarke on 843262 as soon as possible.
More information about the appeal can be found at www.dec.org.uk. Donations can also be made at Oxfam, British Red Cross and Save the Children shops, at any bank or online.
