Money D&P collects will help with food baskets and medical supplies in Aleppo, winter survival supplies for 1,600 families across Syria and finance a bakery that will provide employment and bread for 40 villages in Idlib province.
In total, 60,000 Syrians rely on Caritas assistance.

"Most Syrians were not prepared for the long duration of this crisis and needs are growing by the day, in and outside of the country," D&P emergency programs officer Guy Des Aulniers said in a release. "For countries receiving refugees, more people are arriving daily and tensions are mounting in communities as they try to adjust to the pressure of sharing space and resources."

The civil war in Syria has killed more than 60,000 in 22 months.

The UNHCR counts 670,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt either registered or awaiting registration.

Inside Syria the war has interrupted agriculture and destroyed irrigation systems, throwing hundreds of thousands out of work. Nearly half of Syria's population depends on agriculture for its livelihood.

Donations to the D&P effort for Syrian refugees can be made by calling 1-888-234-8533, online at www.devp.org/donate/syria or by cheque to Development and Peace, 1425 René-Lévesque Blvd. W., 3rd Floor, Montreal, Que., H3G 1T7 — write "Syria Crisis" on the comments line.