--- title: Understanding the Syria crisis description: Rich Stearns explores questions of how we, especially the Church, can be more than a band-aid on a gaping wound in the Middle East. image: https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/resources/syria_e-book.jpg --- [![Philanthropy logo](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/home%20/Philanthropy%20logo.svg)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org) [![resources_header](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sub%20pages/resources_header.jpg?width=2000&name=resources_header.jpg "resources_header")](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [Syria](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/resources/topic/syria) [Emergency Response](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/resources/topic/emergency-response) [Resources](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/resources/topic/resources) # Understanding the Syria crisis Written by [World Vision Staff](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/resources/author/world-vision-staff) on Oct 1, 2019 8:20:00 PM [![Syria E-book](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/resources/syria_e-book.jpg?width=157&name=syria_e-book.jpg "Syria E-book")](http://www.worldvision.org/core2/sites/default/files/understanding_the_syria_crisis_by_rich_stearns-world_vision_0.pdf)The Syria conflict has now killed nearly a quarter of a million people and displaced roughly 12 million. On the fifth year anniversary of the conflict, a short new ebook by Rich Stearns, World Vision U.S. president, explores questions of how we, especially the Church, can be more than a band-aid on a gaping wound in the Middle East. He offers an overview of the crisis, first-hand accounts from visits with refugees in the countries surrounding Syria, and reasons we can make a difference for families who are suffering.  [Read the publication](http://www.worldvision.org/core2/sites/default/files/understanding_the_syria_crisis_by_rich_stearns-world_vision_0.pdf) ### RECENT REPORTS [![](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-15%20at%203.55.59%20PM.png) ](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/resources/annual-report-hope-for-honduras-0) #### [2022 Annual Report - Kenya Big Dream](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/resources/annual-report-hope-for-honduras-0) Mar 24, 2023 7:00:00 AM [![](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-15%20at%203.44.34%20PM.png) ](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/resources/annual-report-hope-for-honduras) #### [2022 Annual Report - Hope at home: Honduras](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/resources/annual-report-hope-for-honduras) Mar 24, 2023 7:00:00 AM [![](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-15%20at%203.16.13%20PM.png) ](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/resources/annual-report-women-and-girls) #### [2022 Annual Report - 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