Oxfam Chief Executive Mark Goldring and local MP Nicola Blackwood briefed Oxford residents on the Syria refugee crisis at Oxfam House in Cowley on Thursday. The event was the launch of Oxfam’s Syria Crisis Appeal in Oxford.
Goldring recently visited the crowded refugee camps on the Syria/Jordan border and Blackwood travelled with Oxfam to work with refugees in Lebanon.
He stated, “The people I met arrived in the refugee camp with virtually nothing, having fled terrible violence in Syria. Often their homes have been destroyed and they have no idea when, or if, they will be able to return.”
Goldring continued, “Oxfam is doing everything we can, but we urgently need to raise funds so we can continue our life-saving work.”
Currently, nearly seven million are in need of humanitarian help in Syria. Local supporters of the Appeal include Oxford Oxfam Student’s Group and the 02 Academy. Oxfam hopes to receive further support from other businesses and individuals over Oxford.
A major street collection will take place over Oxford on Saturday 8th June among other fundraising events.
MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, Nicola Blackwood, said, “Having seen the desperate situation that thousands of Syrian refugees are experiencing in Lebanon for myself, I feel very strongly that this is a humanitarian emergency the people of Oxford simply cannot ignore.
“I know the Oxford community is extremely caring and I hope local people will be moved to get behind Oxfam’s emergency appeal.”
