March in Aleppo for IS

March in Aleppo for ISIS - courtesy of  Bahaa Al-Halabi, Haleb News 

The Islamic State (IS) is imprinting itself on the hearts and minds of some of the poorest Syrians through messages of hope. After more than two years of civil war IS is bringing renewed energy to rebel-held areas with promises of a bright new future, one in which basic systems of education and health will be restored. A population that has seen only death and destruction for several years can't be blamed for grabbing hold of hope and the possibility of a future in which some sense of normality is restored. Certainly, the international community has not been able to help, now IS is increasingly being looked at as the savior of the people who have been hardest hit by the war. This also means growing support for IS and its radical ways and another lost generation.

Food program for Syrians to resume after UN social media fundraiser

In just over a week the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) has managed to raise close to $80 million to fund a recently-cancelled food program for Syrians.

On Dec. 1 the agency announced it would be cancelling its program due to a funding shortfall. The United Nations agency launched a fundraiser through social media with a goal of raising $64 million. The agency exceeded its goal after millions poured in from individuals, businesses and in large part from governments (interesting).

The program will feed millions of Syrians who have fled their war-torn country into neighboring regions. The majority of Syrian refugees have ended up in Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq while many are displaced internally.

The agency says it will provide $30 vouchers per person ASAP so families can make use of them right away.

Ruins for future generations: Aleppo/Halep

Ruins for future generations: Aleppo/Halep

Old Aleppo/Joti Heir

Old Aleppo by Joti Heir is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at www.navjotheir.blogspot.ca.

UN suspends food aid for Syrian refugees

Close to $2 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan and surrounding countries could be without food just as the harsh winter sets in as the UN World Food Program suspends food aid.

According to UNWFP officials the program to provide Syrian refugees with food aid is being suspended due to a funding shortfall.

The UNWFP's announcement comes on the heels of US Vice-President Joe Biden's visit to Turkey last week when his office pledged more than $135 million in aid - the majority of which would help the UNWFP with the Syrian food program.

Children of the Syrian War

Children playing in the rubble of Old Aleppo.

Is Turkey ready for its first openly gay mayor?

Is Turkey ready for its first openly gay mayor?

'Turkey needs to face the reality of LGBTI' says gay candidate Can Cavusoglu

Turkey could be the first Muslim majority country to have an openly gay mayor if Can Cavusoglu has his way. The 43-year-old author and entrepreneur has announced his mayoral pre-candidacy for the 2014 municipal election in the town of Bulancak, located on the Black Sea Coast.