September 17, 2015
By Nicolle

Response to Syrian Crisis

 

The Jersey Overseas Aid Commission has set aside £650,000 of its 2015 budget to support the Syrian Refugee Crisis.
This will bring Jersey’s contribution to £1 million. The Commission on behalf of the Island had already provided support to the Syrian crisis in 2013 when it funded a series of emergency grants focussed at supporting those internally displaced at camps set up in surrounding countries. That amount totalled just under £350,000 which was distributed to key approved UK based agencies following receipt of specific funding applications which had highlighted key areas and focus of support. The Commission additionally supported transportation costs for the distribution of 12,432 winter jackets donated by Headway Jersey. These had been couriered at the request of the Commission on behalf of Headway Jersey to the Syrian IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps by Oxfam GB in 2014.
It continues to consult directly with its UK based agencies responding to the crisis as to the most appropriate way the aid can be delivered to maximise the benefit to those in greatest need.

The Commission will be meeting with the key agencies in London next week. Deputy Carolyn Labey, Chair of the Commission said “It is crucial that the Island responds in a coordinated way with others involved. The aid agencies we are working with are British Red Cross, UNICEF, Save the Children, Oxfam and Goal who are working on the ground and are best placed to identify the areas where support is needed. They have experience of dealing with crisis situations and are able to network with one another to maximise the benefit of the relief to those who need it most.”