Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi presented a fund-raising campaign this morning on the Uno Mattina programme. The fund is being organised by the Italian Emergency Response Campaign (Italian initials AGIRE), with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to help Syrian refugees.
Responding to the major humanitarian emergency in Syria
“The first responsibility for us as Italians is to respond to the major humanitarian emergency in Syria. All other countries can do so too, but this is an area where Italy has a special aptitude”
AGIRE for Syria
“I’d like to mention here today a very important initiative taken by a group of 11 non-governmental organisations, voluntary organisations that are an expression of civil society, to raise funds through SMS”, explained Terzi. “The AGIRE group, which has a great deal of experience in this field, has launched an appeal in response to the humanitarian emergency in Syria.
So let me ask everyone following this programme to send an SMS to the number 45500 at a cost of just 2 euros per message. The price of just 2 coffees to respond to this tragedy of people forced to flee their country. Over 250,000 people are now living in extremely precarious conditions in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon, and they need medical treatment. Their numbers include many children, the most vulnerable members of the Syrian population”.
“I would like here to remind you also of the marvellous initiative launched a few months ago by UNICEF Italia in response to children’s needs”, concluded Minister Terzi. “An initiative to which I myself, and the Farnesina, immediately lent our support. But let me urge you to respond to the AGIRE appeal. The humanitarian emergency first and foremost, but a strong effort on the political level too”.
