ICMC joins civil society campaign to call on EUROPE to ACT NOW

Brussels, 12 March 2014 (ECRE) – The International Catholic Migration Commission, as part of the ECRE <coalition of more than 100 NGOs across Europe, has launched Europe Act Now< calling on European leaders to protect refugees fleeing the Syrian war.

To date, just 81,000 Syrians have sought protection in the EU, Norway and Switzerland; representing only three percent of the total number of those who have fled. With a death toll of 130,000 and refugee numbers expected to escalate to four million by the end of 2014, this war marks one of the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time.

At www.helpsyriasrefugees.eu< people can 'give their voice' to Syrian refugees and urge European leaders to take action to:

1. Give refugees a safe way into Europe
2. Stop pushbacks and protect refugees arriving at Europe's borders
3. Reunite families torn apart by the crisis

In order to put a human face on this massive tragedy, the campaign highlights the extreme difficulties faced by several Syrian refugees. As Mohammad, a 24-year-old Syrian student, expressed, "All I want is to finish my education and live a normal life; any place I can work and be safe.

“The Syrian tragedy leaves 9.5 million people uncertain about their lives and has profoundly affected the populations of Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. 1 out of 5 persons living in Lebanon today is of Syrian origin which only increases the threat of a further destabilizing region. Continued victim assistance and resettlement to safe havens not only serve the victims but also the broader peacemaking goals in maintaining the necessary levels of equilibrium in the region and in contributing to a climate of safety for all. ICMC urges European governments to increase their peace building efforts and to welcome more Syrians in their resettlement efforts,” stated ICMC Secretary General, Johan Ketelers.

Europe Act Now allows supporters of the campaign to donate their Twitter feed and Facebook account to the refugees of the Syrian crisis. The refugees can share their experiences of fleeing the conflict and attempting to seek protection in Europe with the supporters' followers and friends. People can help protect Syrian refugees by signing the Europe Act Now petition<.

The campaign will run for a period of four months, culminating on World Refugee Day, 20 June 2014.

Tel: +41 22 919 10 20
www.helpsyriasrefugees.eu<
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http://www.icmc.net/<