World Humanitarian Day: Spotlight on Syria

(Vatican Radio) Syria has seen in the last few days a series of deadly bombings, air raids and counter attacks between government troops and rebel forces that have killed at least a hundred civilians. Meanwhile, the worsening humanitarian situation in the country is prompting more and more people to flee their homes.

August 19 is World Humanitarian Day, which was set up by the UN to celebrate those who face danger and adversity to help others.

John Pontifex is a spokesperson for Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic humanitarian organization. Claire Gilbody Dickerson asked him about the dire situation facing civilians in Syria and what his message is on this World Humanitarian Day.

Listen to the interview with John Pontifex from Aid to the Church in Need: 

Describing the situation in Syria as “bleak”, Pontifex said that many Syrian Christians are unwillingly leaving their homeland with “tears in their eyes”, because they had "lost confidence" and the situation has become unbearable for them. "They feel there is no future for them," he said. 

In addition, Pontifex said that people in Syria fear being “bombed, abducted” and “they fear starvation”, besides lacking essential necessities such as water, shelter and medicine. He said they fear that "the lights are going out for Christians" not just in Syria but in Iraq and other areas of that region and Christians feel that "nobody cares" about their plight.