Caritas Switzerland

The Syrian war is among the worst of the present-day humanitarian crises. An estimated 11 million people have fled their homes since the start of the war in 2011. Syrian families are struggling to survive, both inside Syria and in the neighbouring countries. The situation faced by 5 million refugees and vulnerable communities in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq is increasingly difficult and unsustainable. Governments and communities in host countries have demonstrated and continue to show an extraordinary level of generosity and solidarity with those fleeing Syria, but this is reaching its breaking point. Strains on infrastructure and public services, security concerns, and fears over the long-term presence of refugees have led governments to put in place increasing restrictions aimed at stemming the flow of asylum seekers and encouraging those refugees who are already in-country to return to Syria or to seek asylum in third countries. In response to the crisis, Caritas Switzerland (CACH) has been engaged in relief activities together with its partners since 2012. CACH is currently supporting projects in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria focusing mainly on relief, education and livelihoods sector. In Jordan, CACH’s sub-office is embedded with Caritas Jordan and the focus of programming lies in particular on livelihoods programming and immediate life-sustaining assistance related to shelter and basic needs. The goal of CACH is to deliver humanitarian aid efficiently and effectively and at the same time to support and build its partners’ capacities to do so.