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current situation from Global Health NOW or the United National Refugee Agency about
displaced people. Comment on the cause of the displacement, what international
governments and nongovernmental agencies are doing to serve the people physically and
mentally, and gaps that the faith-based community and churches could fill. Discuss the link
between relief and development in your response and your suggestions for sustainable
health promotion and development among the displaced population.
PUB 655 Population Displacement
Akin to the characteristics of complex humanitarian emergencies across the world, more than
five million Syrians have been displaced since 2011 to seek refuge in neighboring countries
following a nearly-decade long conflict. These have been coupled with the subjection of more
than 13 million individuals seeking assistance, while a significant number of families have been
exposed to immeasurable suffering. More precisely, the conflict between the Russian-backed
Syrian government and rebel militia supported by the Turkish administration significantly
contributed to the people’s escalation of fears. A direct military confrontation was likely to
emerge between the two states (Sanadiki, 2020). Although a truce was recently formulated, most
of the displaced people continue to endure the adverse effects of the war. Nonetheless,
international governments and nongovernmental agencies that include UN Children’s Fund
(UNICEF), the World Food Program (WFP), and the UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordination
Office (OCHA), among others have played a fundamental role in serving the people both
physically and mentally. For instance, these agencies have collaboratively worked towards
providing humanitarian and response resources aimed at preventing and treating malnutrition
(Sanadiki, 2020).
PUB 655 POPULATION DISPLACEMENT 2
Despite the humanitarian assistance provided, most Syrians, especially children, continue
to suffer in displacement camps characterized by the deprivation of essential services. Based on
these adversaries, faith-based communities and churches in the affected and neighboring regions
have been tasked with filling the gaps in the strategies applied. More precisely, contrary to
subjecting the children to languish in the displacement camps, the faith-based communities and
churches nearby could offer primary education, encouragement, and protection of the most
vulnerable individual or groups (Sanadiki, 2020). These measures should be coupled with the
intervention in the advocacy for tranquility and cessation of the conflicts through their
involvement in the decision-making processes. Similarly, such services highlight the link
between relief and development in that protecting the children and displaced individuals from the
adverse effects of the event safeguards their welfare and fosters rebuilding the communities. As
such, sustainable health promotion and development based on such actions would involve
providing nutritional food, medical services, and education obtained from well-wishers and
donors and humanitarian response initiatives provided by international governments and
nongovernmental agencies (Sanadiki, 2020).
PUB 655 POPULATION DISPLACEMENT 3
References
Sanadiki, O. (2020, March 9). Guterres calls for ‘immediate and lasting’ end to Syria fighting as
Turkey and Russia agree a ceasefire.