September 12, 2013

DECATUR, GA – The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is making a difference in the lives of refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria and is encouraging its constituents to financially support the ongoing efforts of CBF field personnel and ministry partners in the region.

The civil war in Syria over the past two years has disrupted millions of lives with chaos, fear, pain and death. There are more than two million people that are now refugees in neighboring countries with most located in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan.  Nearly seven million people have had to leave their homes for safer places within Syria.  All are in need of assistance, particularly as winter looms. Many of the refugees will never return home.

The greatest need now is for cash to purchase the supplies and deliver the services locally.  CBF has direct contacts and partnerships in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan to help Syrian refugees that are not receiving aid through the formal refugee camp system administered by the United Nations. CBF has assisted these refugees for nearly a year, but the current situation is calling for more engagement. In recent days, CBF has approved $10,000 to help meet the immediate needs of Syrian refugees through the work of field personnel Chaouki and Maha Boulos and Baptist World Aid (BWAID), the relief and development arm of the Baptist World Alliance.

Since October 2012, the Boulos’ have worked with a church in Lebanon to provide food and medical care, host groups for 130 female refugees and camps for children. BWAid is actively assisting refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.

In addition to meeting immediate needs such as food, shelter and clothing, CBF is focused on transitioning as soon as possible to long-term transformational development for these individuals and their communities. Volunteers are not being recruited at this time.

Donations to assist in Disaster Response, including this effort to improve the lives of Syrian refugees, can be made online here (or click the image below) or by mailing a check payable to “CBF” with Acct. 17000 in the memo line to:

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
P.O. Box 101699
Atlanta, GA 30392-1699