Hope in need: Salesians fight for Aleppo's future

Hope in need: Salesians fight for Aleppo's future

in Aleppo, a city that is torn by conflicts, people are currently experiencing a dramatic tightening of the situation. On November 28, 2024, rebel groups penetrated the city and led to the demolition, as Salesian Father Pier Jabloyan SDB reports. These circumstances have led to many families trying to leave the city desperately, but only a few could do this under extreme difficulties. "Some families needed more than 35 hours to leave the city," said Jabloyan. The water supply has also collapsed, which further endangers the daily survival of the citizens. Despite the big challenges, the Salesians stay in Aleppo and provide help on site. You are determined to donate hope wherever possible.

help for those affected

The Salesian Don Boscos has had a presence in Syria since 1948 and support children and young people there in particular. In view of the massive humanitarian crisis in Aleppo, the helpers work tirelessly for the local population. "Our presence, encouragement and listening are crucial," says Father Jabloyan. In recent years, many people, such as the 16-year-old girl from Idlib, who have fled to the city due to the loss of their family, have benefited from the support of the Salesians. Souad, whose family has lost everything from the fights, now lives near a Don Bosco facility and regularly receives food packages that ensure their survival. Her mother now works in the Don Bosco Center.

The destruction in Aleppo are devastating. The city, once part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has now become a rubble field, characterized by beautiful but destroyed buildings and a dramatically bad infrastructure. After the bombing attacks by the government troops under the Syrian President Assad, the situation in Aleppo is catastrophic. According to the head of the UndP Aleppo, Mohamad Jasser, the residents only have one to two hours of electricity a day, while the cost of living is hardly bearable due to inflationary tendencies and currency devaluation. This is also evident in the terrifying 12.4 million people who, according to the World Food Program (WFP) in Syria, suffer hunger, which is more than half of the population.