Texans work together, provide vital supplies to Syrian refugees

What happens when violence and war steals your sense of security in your homeland? When a place you once recognized as a safe haven now perpetuates unbearable fear, threatening your family and your own life?

You run.

And as you take on the great risk to escape, you become a refugee.

An estimated nine million Syrians have been displaced by civil war since the outbreak of hostilities more than four years ago. In desperation, families are fleeing from conflict, seeking out shelter, solace and medical attention in neighboring countries.

“We come to this point where we are confronted, all of us here in America and around the world, with the greatest humanitarian refugee migration since World War II,” said Don Sewell, director of Baylor Scott & White Health’s Faith in Action Initiatives (FIAI).

In an effort to provide aid to Syrian refugees, Baylor Scott & White Health’s Faith in Action Initiatives teamed up with Sarah and Ross Perot, Jr. to provide vital supplies and medical equipment to the Hungarian Baptist Aid workers in Hungary, one of many countries in which Syrian refugees are seeking asylum.

Medical equipment including gloves and masks by the thousands, miles of gauze and tape, stethoscopes, defibrillators, exam beds and more, was packaged alongside canned food items and enough baby formula to feed 5,000 babies for two weeks. The shipment of 25,000 pounds of supplies is estimated to assist more than 10,000 refugees.

“This is an example of how collaboration powered by servanthood can impact the lives of thousands half way around the globe,” said Joel Allison, CEO of Baylor Scott & White Health. “We want to thank Sarah and Ross Perot, Jr. Their generosity is making it possible for Baylor Scott & White to extend its mission to those we would not otherwise be able to reach.”

Want to join the relief effort? Sewell encourages donating to Faith In Action Initiatives as well as volunteering at the FIAI second life resource center.

“It’s gratifying to be able to at least say I’ve had a part somehow in catalyzing philanthropy,” Sewell said. “When we have the opportunity, resources and a desire to accomplish something great, we can work together for the good of humanity.”

Faith in Action Initiatives Second Life Resources facility stretches medical resources to areas around the globe which are underserved or in need.

Boxes full of vital supplies are prepped for transportation.

Hundreds of bottle of apple juice are palletized before being shipped to Syrian refugees.

Medical supplies await shipment to Hungary

Boxes full of vital supplies are prepped for transportation.

Boxes of needed supplies and equipment are palletized before shipment to Hungary.

Baylor Scott & White Health’s Faith in Action Initiatives mobilizes the Baylor Scott & White family and like-minded organizations to address the medical and spiritual needs of communities locally and throughout the world through education, missions, redirection of resources and disaster relief. To date, FIAI has contributed millions of dollars’ worth of medical supplies and equipment to needy beneficiaries in more than 30 countries.

Faith In Action Initiatives volunteers help prepare cargo for shipment

Walkers were one of many medical supplies included in the shipment of cargo

Boeing 737 was stripped of passenger seating to accommodate 10,000 pounds of supplies for Syrian refugees.

Don Sewell, director of Baylor Scott & White Health’s Faith in Action Initiatives, speaks at Fort Worth Alliance Airport on philanthropic effort to aid Syrian refugees.

Sarah and Ross Perot Jr. are underwriting the costs associated with delivering essential medical supplies and equipment.

Cargo is prepped for transport on the Boeing 737 aircraft.

Don Sewell, director of Baylor Scott & White Health’s Faith in Action Initiatives, speaks at Fort Worth Alliance Airport on philanthropic effort to aid Syrian refugees.

Mike Berry of ATX Services speaks about medical supply delivery sent from North Texas to Hungary aboard a specially configured cargo-capable Boeing 737.