A new campaign has been launched to send aid from Derry to Syria ahead of the city accepting its first batch of refugees at the end of March.
The campaign will see a collection point being set up in Ebrington Square from this Saturday, January 30, where the public are being asked to drop off food and other crucial items to help ensure the survival of those people currently caught in the ongoing siege in Syria, hundreds of whom are on the verge of starving to death.
It has been organised by Joan Morrow-Ghali, who previously spearheaded a similar aid campaign to help people living in war-torn regions in Afghanisatan.
Local businesses have already come on board and helped kick-start the campaign, with Marks and Spencer contributed a food hamper, while Boots also donated items such as nappies and baby food.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign in the Guildhall, which was attended by church leaders and the Mayor, Mrs Morrow-Ghali said that everyone one she had called on for help had been ‘amazingly helpful and supportive’.
“We had a similar campaign before, where we used a Danish shipping company to take aid to Afghanistan,” she said.
“I’ve been in touch with both the Red Cross and the Rec Crescent aid groups, who will hand over the items collected in Derry to the Muslim and Christian people who so desperately need it.”
She added there were a number of specific goods that would be given priority.
“What is really badly needed are non-perishable goods, such as rice, pasta, floor and porridge, and we will also need baby food and nappies.”
Mrs Morrow-Ghali continued that as the appeal comes to an end, it would be seeking baby clothing and blankets.
The details of where the collection point will be located are still being finalised.
Photo shows Mayor Elisha McCallion pictured at the launch of the campaign to have food supplies shipped to Syria. Included on left are Cllr John Boyle, Peter Murray, Methodist Church, Joan Morrow-Ghali, Organiser and Dean Morton, St. Columb's Cathedral. (Photo - Deirdre Heaney, nwpresspics)
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