By Bob Allen
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship appealed Sept. 12 for financial donations to improve the lives of refugees in Syria’s two-year civil war.
In recent days, the Decatur, Ga.,-based Fellowship approved $10,000 to help meet the immediate needs of Syrian refugees through the work of Chaouki and Maha Boulos, CBF field personnel in Lebanon appointed in 2002, and Baptist World Aid, the relief-and-development arm of the Baptist World Alliance.
CBF leaders said more cash is needed to purchase supplies and deliver services through contacts and partnerships in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan for Syrian refugees 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.
Since October 2012, the Bouloses have worked with a church in Lebanon to minister to female refugees and children. BWAid is actively assisting refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.
In addition to meeting immediate needs of food, shelter and clothing, CBF intends to move as soon as possible to long-term transformational development for individuals and their communities. Volunteers are not being recruited at this time.
Donations can be made online or by mail.