Only Catholic Church appears able to aid starving population of Homs, Syria

Disturbing reports continue to come out of Syria. Refugees who have managed to escape the city say that starvation is hunting about one million people and mostly babies and children are dying as a result. Government strikes are also taking their toll, heightening the terror with the specter of  violent death.

AMMAN, JORDAN (Catholic Online) - The UN believes that about one million people in and around Homs are suffering from hunger, with several hundred living under the worst conditions, starving to death.

Those facing the worst are surrounded by both rebel and government forces, and remain entirely under siege without food. Movement invites danger and any attempt to escape is made at significant risk. Still, many try, driven to the edge of madness with hunger.

According to survivors who have been interviewed, there is nothing but water available. No staples remain. There is no food at all. In the places where some food remains, it is being carefully rationed at starvation levels.

Babies are dying, since they have unique nutritional needs which cannot be met in the ongoing crisis.

The UN is demanding access to deliver food aid to areas under siege, and to help move civilians out of endangered areas. However, even today, as another round of peace talks takes place, a previous agreement to allow this remains stalled.

Adding to the misery is the winter cold, heating fuel is unavailable.

Ironically, the Catholic Church is providing what services it can to people, both Christian and Muslim, Sunni and Alawite.

Fr. Ghassan Sahoui, who was interviewed by the American Catholic News Service in early February told a reporter that people are stealing and that his community is trying to serve everyone who comes to them for help. However, the siege is making it difficult. Most people cannot go to work, although there is little need to work, since there is no food and money is worthless in such a situation.

At least the Church seems to be able to help where the UN and others are ineffective.

Catholics are invited to donate to Your Catholic Voice Foundation emergency relief efforts.

You may also donate to their general food relief program.

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