Ahmad Al Atrash does not like to be called a refugee. To him, a Syrian who fled a brutal civil war in his country, that word is loaded with negative connotations, and separates him from the community that has now become his home: Chicago. Six months ago, he and his family resettled there. I recently had the chance to discuss with him his thoughts on the crisis in Syria, his experiences at a refugee camp in Jordan, his journey to the United States, and his hopes for his family and children.

(Washington, DC) – The American Relief Coalition for Syria, a coalition of 13 humanitarian and development organizations that aid 5.7 million Syrians worldwide, in coordination with the Coalition for a Democratic Syria, a multi-ethnic and multi-sectarian coalition for a pluralistic and free Syria, organized a press conference in front of the Russian Embassy today in Washington, D.C.

During the press conference Lena Arkawi, ARCS spokesperson, stated:

The family is sitting around the dinner table, the tree is about to be decorated, and the U.S. is officially entering holiday season. Sadly, for Syrian refugees around the world, this season does not bring such excitment. The winter weather presents a special challenge to displaced refugees living in surrounding countries. Frigid winds, tumultuous rain, and precipitating snow hit the refugee camps in countries such as Lebanon and Jordan, increasing the chance of illness and death.

December 12, 2023
The American Relief Coalition for Syria (ARCS) would like to emphasize that the Syrian crisis is a human rights crisis at its core that has evolved into a humanitarian crisis because of the brutal actions of the Syrian regime against its people. Thus, we will continue to support all efforts that ensure accountability to the Syrian people and that perpetrators of human rights abuses are held accountable and are not rewarded financially and politically. As diaspora humanitarian organizations and workers, we align with human rights demands, accountability, and justice principles.
December 12, 2023
On May 13th, 2023, Syrian authorities extended their consent for UN humanitarian agencies to use international border crossings at Bab Al- Salameh and Al-Ra'i for 90 days. This follows consent having previously been given for UN humanitarian agencies to use those border crossings after the earthquakes of February 6th, 2023. Although prior ARCS' analyses have demonstrated that state consent is not a legal prerequisite for remote cross-border aid programming by UN humanitarian agencies, the extension of consent reinforces the basis on which they may do so, and fulfils basic legal obligations not to arbitrarily refuse, and more importantly not to arbitrarily withdraw, consent to humanitarian-need-centred offers of principled humanitarian aid.
December 12, 2023
The American Relief Coalition for Syria (ARCS) calls on the Lebanese Government to cease the forced return, arbitrary arrest, and deportation of Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon, and to fulfill its obligations under the customary international law principle of non-refoulement. Instances of forced returns and deportations back to Syria have been documented by Amnesty International to place returnees at an elevated risk of serious human rights violations including arbitrary arrest, torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearance, and death committed by the Syrian Government.
December 12, 2023
This week marks the 12th anniversary of the first peaceful protests in Syria and over one month since the devastating February 6th 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes. These catastrophic earthquakes exacerbated an already fragile humanitarian situation in Syria that was already in a state of decline. ARCS is urging the donor community to promptly release additional funds specifically for earthquake response programs and efforts prioritizing Syrian humanitarian organizations.

Place a Donation + Save Lives

Donate Today Learn More