February 1, 2017 | 4 p.m.
Convoy of Hope’s response to the refugee crisis continues. We currently feed 650 Lebanese and Syrian refugee children daily at two schools and one refugee camp. We are also launching winterization and dry ration distribution for 300 families this month, and are prioritizing safe spaces for refugee children to play.
December 28, 2015 | 4:30 p.m.
CALAIS, FRANCE — Christmas came early to a number of families in the refugee camp outside of Calais, France. Volunteers from all over the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium brought Christmas shoe boxes, music, and food to those who are struggling with their current living conditions. Many of these families have been in the camp for months.
More than 150 shoe boxes were distributed to children in the camp, and 1,000 people were fed over the course of the afternoon. This celebration is a continuation of Convoy of Hope Europe’s commitment to bring hope to refugees. Over the last few months, teams have built shelters from the weather, distributed 100 butane stoves for cooking, given out thousands of rain ponchos, and provided laundry services to the community there. Convoy of Hope Europe will continue to offer help to affected families in the upcoming months.
October 19, 2015 | 4:30 p.m.
As temperatures fall and rain continues in makeshift refugee camps, Convoy of Hope continues to respond to families affected by the crisis. Over the last two years, Convoy of Hope has maintained feeding programs in Bulgaria and Jordan, feeding more than 3,000 people. With the most recent crisis, it now includes camps in France, Belgium, and Macedonia. Convoy of Hope Europe has also supplied 300 butane stoves for cooking, and they’ve coordinated to send teams to pick up trash, build temporary housing, and distribute much-needed supplies. We are committed to seeing sustainable development in Europe and the Middle East, and we will continue to serve families in need.
September 16, 2015 | 3 p.m.
In an effort to mitigate some of the dangers and challenges refugee women and children face as they flee war-torn, impoverished, and terrorist-infested homelands, Convoy of Hope has implemented a long-term strategy that spans two regions and is expected to help tens of thousands of people.
“Refugees in the Middle East face horrendous conditions in camps all over the region,” says Chris Dudley, Disaster Services Response Director. “Because children and women are the most vulnerable in these situations, we have given them priority.”
Since November 2014, Convoy of Hope has been distributing food, blankets, mattresses, heaters, heating oil, newborn health kits, baby formula, and coats. To date, more than 800,000 meals have been distributed to 13,452 refugees with 70% of those being children.
Convoy of Hope Europe has responded by supplying refugees and partner organizations who are also serving them, with emergency food, supplies, and finances to help meet immediate needs of refugee families who make it to Europe.
“We’re expecting to serve approximately 5,000 refugees in Europe in the coming months,” says Michael McNamee, CEO of Convoy of Hope Europe. “Since these refugees are in temporary situations, the duration of our interventions will be shorter, but will be intensive and include food, clean water, blankets, rain ponchos, heaters, heater oil, and laundry services.”
September 8, 2015 | 4:30 p.m.
Convoy of Hope and Convoy of Hope Europe are working with partners in Europe and the Middle East to bring disaster relief supplies and more to refugees.
Earlier this year, Convoy of Hope distributed baby formula, winter jackets, food, fuel, and other emergency relief supplies to more than 13,000 refugees fleeing Syria.
“Our work in the Middle East and other countries has been ongoing and has targeted refugees who come from all backgrounds,” says Chris Dudley, Disaster Services Response Director. “Some are fleeing ISIS because of their faith, while others are trying to get away from desperate circumstances in refugee camps that are overcrowded.”
Late last week, the death of Aylan Kurdi, a 3-year-old boy who washed ashore after his family’s boat sank off the coast of Turkey, brought international attention to the desperate measures many refugees will take to find safety.
According to Dudley, the crisis will be ongoing for months, if not years, to come. Because of the atrocities many refugees have experienced, treating each refugee with the utmost respect will be how Convoy of Hope moves forward to bring them help and hope.
