Remembering the Forgotten

Dec. 15, From Tom:

We complain a lot--most of us. You've heard us complain of our lack of insulation or the poor heating system or whatever. Yes, things can always be better but I have been thinking recently of the millions who are trying to survive while being exposed to the severe winter weather. It is estimated that over 6 million are homeless within Syria and well over 2 million are refugees who have fled to Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey.

I've seen reports showing families burning shoes as a last means to keep warm. Some villages in the mountains have been isolated by the government to prevent delivery of food, fuel or medicine. They expect that a village of 12,000 about 100 miles north of us will be entirely lost. This was before the recent storm.

The recent storm was brutal by local standards. Amman had about 3 feet of snow. We had winds of 30-40 mph howling for several days with blowing sleet and cold rain. Even Cairo, Egypt had snow for the first time in 126 years and severe flooding in the Gaza strip. So I wonder how these poor people, mostly women and children, can endure. Now, I'm more grateful for what we have.

I found an informative and well written report describing the Za'atari Refugee Camp by a woman who worked there. I urge you to read this. The link is:

 http://arabist.net/blog/2013/4/2/the-zaatari-refugee-camp.html

Za'atari is about one hour north of Amman. In less than 2 years it grew from zero to over 140,000 refugees. It's good that these camps are being provided by the UN but their living conditions are unimaginable. We are warned not to go near because it is not safe for us who are not trained. Our landlords daughter, Sewar, works for Save the Children and verifies that it is dangerous. She has been attacked. It's unpredictable. The refugees have lost everything and are desperate. There also are tribal and village rivalries. Yet, they really just want to go home and take up their lives, simple lives. I believe this probably won't be possible any more. The country has been destroyed to the point that there is not much to rebuild any more. And the conflict is getting worse and is not close to being settled.

I've read that Syria is only one of about 52 countries where there are significant populations who are displaced or homeless. These total nearly 25 million people living without what most of us take for granted.

As I've written earlier, we see many families living in tents in our neighborhood, our community and all around Amman. As squalid as their living conditions are, they are living in much better conditions than those at the refugee camps or those still in Syria.

So during this Christmas time, even as Ronna and I are lonesome for our wonderful family, friends, home and community, we have come to appreciate even more the blessings we have, not only in our comfort and safety but also in having wonderful loved ones, opportunities and hope.

Our love to all of you.

Al Za'atari Refugee Camp about one hour north--140.000 Syrians, mostly women and children

Al Za'atari Regugee Camp, main walking street

When refugees have almost nothing--heartbreaking to have fire take it all.