Support Hussam's Journey to Safety

Hussam and his family fled Syria more than a decade ago. Inspired by the Arab Spring sweeping the Middle East, Hussam had participated in a non-violent protest and was one among many thousands arrested in 2011. During this time, his home was destroyed. Fearing for their lives, Hussam, his wife, and children escaped to Jordan in 2012 to the Za’atari Refugee Camp. They have been there ever since. Now the tight-knit family has a chance to rebuild their lives in the United States. But they need some help.

I am Carol Parker, and I am part of a sponsor group with Welcome Corps that successfully applied for Hussam and his family to come to the United States. They are to arrive in San Diego around Christmas. I have been friends with Hussam’s sister and her family since 2017. Welcome Corps is a program where citizens can sponsor a refugee family, instead of the US government paying a resettlement agency. Our group raised funds for all expenses for three months for the family, as Welcome Corps required. But in looking for an apartment in the San Diego area, we found that in this situation, we need enough money for a minimum 6-month lease. We are seeking assistance with the funding needed to secure a lease.

Hussam and his family of six are so close to achieving their goal to come to the U.S., finally putting behind them the devastating events that displaced them in the first place.

The Syrian revolution started from spontaneous, popular protests in the marginalized Syrian regions in 2011 demanding freedom, dignity, and an end to oppression, corruption, and dictatorship. President Bashar al-Assad attacked the peaceful demonstrations, killing thousands and causing millions of people to be displaced inside Syria or seeking refuge in other parts of the world. On Friday, March 18, 2011, a massive demonstration took place under the name “Friday of Dignity.” The regime forces responded with mass arrests and live bullets, killing many. Hussam was among those arrested.

Syria is back in the news as the Syrian Civil War has recently re-escalated. Up until last week, President Bashar al-Assad’s forces controlled only 70% of the country. President Assad infamously attacked his own citizens with nerve gas, barrel bombs, and specifically targeted hospitals during this conflict. Assad was able to win back control of what he now has only with major military assistance from Russia and Iran. Many Syrians fled to Jordan with threats of torture and cruel treatment, risks of persecution, bombing of homes, and other activities not compatible with life. There are presently around 660,000 Syrian refugees living in Jordan. There were 5.2 million Syrian refugees in the region because of the conflict and still 7 out of 10 Syrians within the country need humanitarian assistance.

With your help, we can help one Syrian family start a new life. Thank you so much for considering our request.