Winds of Peace for the Families of Syria

Vatican City, 15 February 2014: The Pontifical Council for family and Italian Caritas will continue the awareness campaign in support of Syrian families affected by on-going conflict. Boosting this peace initiative is a video broadcast from February 16 to 22 in all the major stations on 1105 screens in Italy. The same video was presented to Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on February 14 when Pope met over fifteen thousand engaged couples.

There are ongoing negotiations for the terrible conflict affecting the country for three years, which caused at least 130,000 deaths and an immense flood of refugees into neighboring countries. Unfortunately, it has not produced any desired results. According to reports, nearly 7 million Syrians are in need of assistance. They include refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt, and internally displaced persons.

Pope Francis has appealed for a truce and the opening of humanitarian corridors, which are still unheeded. In his address to the Diplomatic Corps on January 13, 2014, the Holy Father recalled "the commendable efforts of those countries, especially Lebanon and Jordan, which have generously welcomed a number of Syrian refugees in its territory". The Pontiff will travel to the Middle East in May to support all efforts for peace in the troubled region.

The Pontifical Council for the Family and the Italian Caritas strongly revived these appeals and asked for urgent resumption of dialogue of all parties to end the conflict. At the same time they continue their engagement with articulated concrete aid to the local population as well as work of education for peace and solidarity. They have launched on 26 and 27 October 2013, on the occasion of the Pilgrimage World Meeting of Families, to assist about 20,000 Syrians, on the proposal of Caritas Syria.

The present communication campaign has been produced with the assistance of the State Railways. The video is of Frederick and Elisa Greek Fazzuoli with images of refugee camps in Lebanon.Source: VR Sedoc