Host countries struggle to cope with increasing Syrian refugee influx

(Vatican Radio) Catholic Relief Services or CRS is one of many NGO’s assisting Syrian refugees who continue to flee from the war in their homeland in ever larger numbers. Joseph Kelly, the country representatives for CRS in Turkey, speaks to Susy Hodges about the worsening humanitarian crisis facing Syrian refugees fleeing to neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

Listen to the extended interview with Joseph Kelly of Catholic Relief Services:

Kelly says the worsening humanitarian crisis means that many host communities are being “pushed to the brink” of their ability “to handle the influx” of Syrian refugees. He explains that the numbers of Syrians fleeing their war-torn homeland “have been peaking” since January this year.

Asked whether the Syrian refugees are hopeful of a return to Syria in the near future, Kelly says there is now a recognition on the part of most refugees that “this is a long-drawn out” conflict and says their plight is exacerbated by the fact that many of these families are “split” with members on both sides of the border. But all of them, he adds, yearn to go back to their homes: “Certainly there is a longing and a desire to return on the part of every Syrian (refugee) I’ve talked to…… and “they are praying” for this on a daily basis.