Only our warmth will rescue them from war flames

On the eve of Ramadan “Solidarity” Foundation is announcing a share with the Syrian Circassians. These people, who had fled from the war-torn land, need our help, mercy and compassion. 90 people are living in temporary shelters in Nalchik, 200 families of refugees have been settled. And every week, new refugees continue to arrive: large families, students, seniors who are in the most difficult psychological condition. The only thing they have is a roof for shelter.

In Syria the bloody war is proceeding, in Damascus and other cities there is fierce fighting. While the civilized countries decide who is right and who is guilty (based on their interests), giant tent camps with refugees were formed in the states that border with Syria. But the people, who managed to escape from war flames, fell into another trouble: hunger, lack of medicines, unsanitary living conditions. War is time when an ordinary citizen’s life depreciates. Warring parties count bayonets, tanks, planes. But civilians’ number is not considered. So in Syria some countries are helping rebels, others – to still official authorities, and each of these helpers has its own geopolitical and economic interests. And no one is interested in the people.

The civil war has led to mass flight of Syrian civilians. People move to neighboring Lebanon and Turkey, which are no longer able to accept all.

And now the Syrian Circassians, who left the Caucasus many years ago because of the war, come back to the land of their forefathers for the same reason.

About 300 such refugees arrived to Kabardino-Balkaria. They have already been living in their historic homeland for a year. Initially they were guaranteed assistance, support and protection. But now there are only little rooms, like communal apartments in old sanatoriums of Soviet times, which are far from normal conditions.

Here they are called not refugees, but immigrants, i.e. who returned from emigration. But along with the status of refugees they have been deprived of required benefits.

A Circassian named Radwan Sharif got lucky – his family could leave Syria, but many of his relatives didn’t. A lot of people have already been killed. News about death of loved ones get to the refugee camp every week. Radwan had a heart attack because of too much stress. He was taken to hospital and got almost in the conditions of civil war again! He was constantly extorted money. And he was really shocked that his illness might be a profit to many people… But who wants him to be healthy?

Now he needs medication, but has no funds for it.

He is ashamed to ask for help. He‘s asking only one thing – a job.

All refugees dream of own earnings. But the residents of KBR have problems with work themselves… And even though people are trying to hold actions in support of refugees and raise money, the media write that they don’t need anything.

“Just for this week, our volunteers have organized a little help to the Syrian Circassians”, – says Alina Dilaeva, the representative of «Solidarity» Foundation in KBR.  – We raised monetary aid (10,000 rubles), the owner of a bakery in Nalchik delivers some bread every morning, a businessman has promised to cut a lamb for these people every week. But the refugees have to think where to get food every day. If people knew about refugees’ trouble, I’m sure, everyone would have responded.”

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The war came into Sharifa Bushra’s life a year ago. She hardly managed to run away. The husband of Sharifa could arrive to Russia a few months ago, and already in Nalchik they had a child. But for his maintenance the young pair has no money. Besides, Sharifa was diagnosed with cancer, so she needs expensive treatment to survive now.

Sometimes, the refugees admit there is no food in the camp. When one earns something, they share it with all lodgers.

They are used to help each other, but now they need our help.

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What the Syrian war refugees need

Material assistance. Many Syrian Circassians are in job searches now, but because of the language barrier as well as the high level of unemployment in Kabardino-Balkaria there are no chances to earn money. At least, 86,000 rubles($ 2626) is necessary for a month of accommodation for these people on the basis of 1,000 rubles per person.

Thank you.  To help Syrian refugees:

Medicines and treatment payment. “Solidarity” Foundation undertakes to pay treatment of children and elderly seniors from temporary placement of Syrian refugees.

Thank you.  To help Syrian refugees:

Food packages. The residents of Kabardino-Balkaria can bring food directly to the refugee camps. Phone of the representative of “Solidarity” Foundation in KBR:  +7 928 691 9984.

And may God reward all of you!

Julia Akhmedova