Aleppo – A statement from Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ
The world has watched with shock and horror the images of the devastated city of Aleppo these past few days. The city of Aleppo has been subject to a barrage of attacks from land and air, in the ongoing battle there between the Syrian regime, supported by Russia, and the opposition forces. Aleppo is in some ways an intense microcosm of the Syrian conflict, with a staggering number of deaths and a population that is massively displaced, or clinging precariously to a despairing existence in the city. We have already witnessed with deep sadness and concern the impact on the people of the city, once a thriving and diverse center of culture, commerce, and life, and Syria’s largest city. Now its residence buildings, churches and mosques, markets, and its vibrancy are destroyed. The humanitarian crisis in Aleppo is disastrous, and is a stark window into the whole of Syria.
In this time of heightened attention, Global Ministries
- continues to pray for Aleppo, for all Syrians, and for the country;
- supports humanitarian aid to internally displaced Syrians and Syrian refuges in neighboring countries and beyond through the ministries of presence of our partners in the Middle East (and Europe);
- urges that the US Administration and Congress push for robust and urgent diplomatic talks
- to reach a durable cease fire that will bear fruit, resulting in an immediate calm and a longer term agreement to end the immediate crisis in Aleppo, for the sake of the threatened population, including women and children, and for their passage to safe locations guaranteed by warring factions;
- and to end the war in Syria, involving all of the parties to the conflict, including but not limited to Syria’s regime and opposition, Russia and Iran. This is not the time for polemical discourse, but rather for concerted efforts to end the crisis;
- encourages members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ to pray about, learn about, and engage the immediate crisis in Aleppo, in the context of the Syria war which is approaching the end of its sixth year. Resources for education and advocacy, and ways to give to support humanitarian repose are available here: globalministries.org/syria, and here: globalministries.org/syria_crisis.
Rev. Julia Brown Karimu, Co-Executive
Rev. Dr. James Moos, Co-Executive
Dr. Peter Makari, Executive, Middle East and Europe