Love brings us together. Providing relief to Assyrian refugees in Turkiye

Naseem Sadiq interviewed the CEO of Love Brings Us Together, a non-profit organisation which has highlighted the dire situation of more than 2,000 Assyrian refugees stranded in Turkiye, many of whom have been there for over a decade.

Saad Gebrael with the children of refugee families. Credit: Saad Gebrael

In this interview, the non-profit organisation's Saad Gebrael shared the plight of Assyrian refugees stranded in Turkiye.

According to Mr Gebrael, many refugees have lived there for over a decade, waiting for a country to accept them for settlement.

Love Brings Us Together is a non-profit group that aims to help these refugees by providing them with necessities such as food and clothing.

The organisation receives donations from Assyrians worldwide who are keen to help their community members in need.

"The situation of these refugees is dire. There are over two thousand people scattered in Turkiye's cities, many of whom cannot work and depend on their relatives abroad for help," Mr Gebrael said.

A lack of job opportunities coupled with limited access to essential resources has made it extremely difficult for them to survive, according to Mr Gebrael.

Distributing gifts for Easter brought happiness to refugee children in Turkiye. Credit: Saad Gebrael

The Assyrian community has a rich history, culture, and language. Still, due to conflicts and persecution in their homeland, many have been forced to flee and seek refuge in other countries.

The prolonged stay of refugees in Turkiye has taken a toll on their physical and mental health.

Love Brings Us Together provides necessities to these refugees to improve their qualities of life.