Now is time to help all the Syrians

A news report from Aleppo's Al-Bayadeen neighbourhood fails to capture the "shifting landscape" in Syria. It’s found in the eyes of Abeer, a grandmother responsible for a household of six, including her three grandchildren from her deceased daughter.

For Abeer, the maths of survival is impossible. 90% of Syrians now live in poverty, and in a city where the cost of basic flour can double overnight, her family is caught in the gap.

Because of you, Abeer’s family had a meal for Ramadan.

Thanks to your recent support, we delivered a vital food basket to her home—packed with protein-rich pulses, cooking oil, fresh eggs, and flour. It is more than nutrition; it is the relief of knowing her grandchildren won’t go to bed hungry tonight.

The "Gap": The Weight of Rent While food keeps them alive, the instability of the economy has made even the most humble shelter a luxury. In Aleppo, the rent for a family like Abeer’s is €25 a month. When they spend every cent on bread, that €25 becomes an insurmountable mountain. Without it, the food we provide has no kitchen to be cooked in.

Be the Anchor in the Storm.

The world is changing, but the hunger of six people remains constant. To protect families like Abeer’s from the threat of the street, we need "Partners in Stability."

• €25/month pays the rent.
• €40/month provides a full food basket.
• €65/month provides a food basket and pays the rent.

A monthly commitment is the only way to ensure that when the next wave of inflation hits, Abeer’s door stays open and her table stays full.

With gratitude,

The Crete For Life Team

Links:

• See your donations at work and get the last update
• Crete For Life Website
• Aleppo's Corner - our blog from Aleppo

Dear Friend,

Your support means the difference between profound insecurity and hope.

We want to share a recent success that shows the power of your generosity in action: the story of Reem. Reem, a widow and mother of six children (three girls and three boys) from Aleppo, was living in incredibly cramped, borrowed space after the war, facing immense instability. Thanks to timely funding, we were able to secure and pay six months' rent on a new home for her family.

The change was immediate: having a safe, dedicated space has instantly boosted Reem’s self-esteem and improved her relationship with her children. This new stability allows her to actively seek employment and focus on her greatest hope: sending her older children back to school, away from the necessity of selling bread in the street.

Reem’s story is one of the 20 families (112 individuals) we are consistently supporting with a foundational safety net. Since our last report, we've delivered 350 food baskets and funded 200 months of rent payments, keeping families housed and fed.

While the region continues to face crushing instability, financial strain, and sanctions, our local volunteers remain incredibly resilient. They meet these challenges by working directly with constituents to ensure aid is delivered efficiently and tailored to their most immediate need—whether that is home, food, or health. Our local knowledge and constant donors, whom we can rely on, are our most formidable asset in making every dollar count.

The reliable funding from donors like you is the backbone of this work. Sponsoring a family's full month of support—including rent and a food basket—costs around $70, but even a gift of $30 for rent or $40 for food can stabilise a family in crisis.

Your ongoing monthly support is the most powerful tool we have. As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas, we are also focusing on a critical immediate need: keeping children warm.

We are launching the "One Child, One Coat" initiative to provide 200 warm jackets to at-risk children before the end of 2025. A gift of around $25 can provide a child with protection from illness, dignity, and a chance to focus on learning. Please consider making a donation today to help us meet this crucial goal.

With gratitude,

Olimpia and Crete For Life Team

Links:

• See your donations at work and get the last update