Understanding the Syrian Refugee Crisis: Global Impact and Responsibilities

1. The Syrian Refugee Crisis Our role as an organization, community and individual

2. Introduction • More than 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives in four-and-a-half years of armed conflict, which began with anti-government protests before escalating into a full-scale civil war. • More than 11 million others have been forced from their homes as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other - as well as jihadist militants from Islamic State.  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868

3. Syria • Capital: Demascus • Population 22.85 million (World Bank, 2013) • President: Bashar al-Assad • Official language: Arabic • Climate: varies from the Mediterranean type in the west to extremely arid desert conditions in the east.

4. 90.3% of the population are Arabs • 9.7% consists of the other ethnic groups in the region • Other Ethnic Groups: • Assyrians • Kurds (2nd Largest ethnic Group) • Armenians • Turkmens • Circassians Ethnic Groups

5. 87 % of the population practise Islam • Sunni, Alawi, Ismaili and Shia • 10% Practice Christianty • Orthodox, Uniate, Nestorian • 3% Druze • >1% Yazidism Religion

6. Arabic (Official Language) • Kurdish • Armenian • Aramaic (old) • Circassian (old) • French • English Languages

7. What is “Islamic State” (IS)? - members • IS members are jihadists who adhere to an extreme interpretation of Sunni Islam and consider themselves the only true believers. They hold that the rest of the world is made up of unbelievers who seek to destroy Islam, justifying attacks against other Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144

8. What is “Islamic State” (IS)? - Origin • 2004 Al-Queda in Iraq (AQI) • 2006 Islamic State in Iraq (ISI) • Al-Nusra front against president Bashar Al-Assad • 2013 Merge: Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) • June, 2014 ISIS declared the creation of a caliphate and changed its name to “Islamic State” (IS) Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144

9. What is considered part of the Islamic State? • IS territory is in constant fluctuation, trying to claim more territory • A small part is under complete control, especially larger cities, infrastructure and economic resources. • Other areas are completely destroyed Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27838034 Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144

10. What is IS known for? • Fear & Destruction • IS rules with fear and destruction through beheadings, crucifications and mass shootings • Access to weaponry • Obtained in both legal and illegal ways • Wealth • Initially through private donors, and charities. Currently through oil reserves, kidnapping, robbing, looting and taxation. Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144

11. Life in Syria

12. Boys stand on buildings damaged by Syrian Government shelling in the Syrian town of Ma`arat al-Nu`man in Idlib Province, April 5, 2014. Ma`arat al-Nu`man still receives fire from Syrian Army forces 2km away, but is held by the SRF (Syrian Revolutionaries Front) Source: http://socialdocumentary.net/exhibit/Nish_Nalbandian/2986

13. The Syrian Refugee Crisis • The 1951 Refugee Convention spells out that a refugee is someone who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country." Source: http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c125.html

14. The Syrian Refugee Crisis • 13.5 million people inside Syria need urgent help • 6.5 internally displaced • Over 250,000 people have died in the conflict • 4.5 million Syrians have sought refuge in the neighbouring countries. Source: http://www.international.gc.ca/development-developpement/humanitarian_response-situations_crises/syria-syrie.aspx?lang=eng

15. April 5, 2014 - Atmeh, Idlib, Syria: Men sit in front of one of many smaller tent cities. The Atmeh camp sits just cross the border from Turkey, inside Syria. It is not one organized camp, but a series of small tent cities that have sprung up since the start of the war as people began to be displaced by fighting. Estimates place the total population of the camp at around 30,000 persons. (Nish Nalbandian/Polaris) Source: http://socialdocumentary.net/exhibit/Nish_Nalbandian/2986

16. What is Canada doing? • Welcoming 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February 2016 • 810 will be arriving in London, ON by this time. • Majority will be Government Sponsored Refugees (GAR) but there is also a lot of privately sponsored refugees arriving. • Canada will focus on “vulnerable refugees who are a lower security risk” • Health and security screening will be completed before arriving in Canada. Source: http://www.international.gc.ca/development-developpement/humanitarian_response-situations_crises/syria-syrie.aspx?lang=eng

17. Obstacles Faced by Newcomers • Language • Culture Shock • Change in economic & social status • Family Dynamics • Isolation • Mental health • Racism, Discrimination, prejudice, stigma • Climate

18. Strengths and Resources • Adaptability • Many Syrians have lived outside of the country before, or know someone who has. Canada will not be their first stop on their long journey. The Syrian refugees have been quite creative in other countries such as Jordan and Turkey, where shops have been set up by some of the refugees. • Education • You will find a wide range of educational background among the Syrian refugees, including professionals. Many students will be eager to finish their education, after it being on hold for several years. • Getting settled • After having to move around, not knowing what the final destination will be, most refugees will be eager to settle down and make this place their new home. Source: http://www.teslontario.net/uploads/news/RefugeesfromSyriabackgrounderCulturalOrientationReso.pdf

19. 5 Ways to Help • Private sponsorship • Furniture donations: it can be quite costly to furnish an entire home for a newly arrived family. Refugees do not have the chance to bring along their belongings, and have to start all over. Government sponsored refugees receive assistance through CCLC but additional support is always welcomed. • Winter clothing: There is a high demand for winter clothing, from coats to boots, socks, sweaters, hats mittens and scarves, for both children and adults. These items can be new or gently used. For some of the refugees, this might be their first snowy winter. • Kitchen and bathroom supplies: pots, pans, spices, utensil, towels, toiletries such as toothbrushes, shampoo, and deodorant, again the cost of these items add up • Your time is the most valuable item that you can donate.

20. What sort of help might a recently arrived refugee need? • Feel Welcomed • Getting Around • Conversational English • Patience • Professional Support • Simply being there Source: Refugee action - UK

21. Diversity • Cultural awareness • Be sensitive to someone else’s culture. Take this as an opportunity to learn something new and share your ideas and experiences • Cultural differences • Some things might be unfamiliar to you and vise versa. The Syrian refugees will face many challenges due to the cultural differences. This learning process takes time and guidance • Diversity within Diversity • While we might be able to agree about some common ground, a single person from Canada could never represent what it means to be Canadian. We all have our own unique identity and experiences. It is the same for the Syrian refugees: each story is different, as is the culture, beliefs, goals, family dynamic etc.

22. Code of Ethics surrounding sponsoring and supporting the Syrian Refugees. • Right to self determination. We will respect and support the right of the refugees to make their own decisions about their lives. • Right to privacy.  We will respect the right of the client to privacy. • Competence.  We will respect our duty to act competently (training, cultural awareness, knowing your resources etc.) • Transparency.  We will be transparent in our services, towards those seeking support • Equity.  We will strive to make our relationships as equitable as possible, by being aware of power dynamics and guarding against risks of abuse of power • Financial integrity.  We will maintain integrity in financial and business relationships and avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest. • Concluding support. We will work to ensure a satisfactory conclusion to the support for all concerned Provided by the Canadian Council for Refugees. Adopted in principle by the Working Group on Overseas Protection and Sponsorship. Source: http://ccrweb.ca/en/code-ethics

23. Resources: BBC news articles: • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868 • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144 • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27838034 Syrian Images: • http://socialdocumentary.net/exhibit/Nish_Nalbandian/2986 UNHCR • http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c125.html Canadian Government • http://www.international.gc.ca/development-developpement/humanitarian_response-situations_crises/syria-syrie.aspx?lang=eng Settlement • http://www.teslontario.net/uploads/news/RefugeesfromSyriabackgrounderCulturalOrientationReso.pdf • http://ccrweb.ca/en/code-ethics Additional information has been provided by the London Cross Cultural Learner Centre