​Scottish charity's emergency plea for funds to help refugees.

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) has launched an emergency appeal to help thousands of refugees in and around Syria and those fleeing into Europe.

Working as part of the Caritas family of Catholic international aid charities, Sciaf is already giving food, medical care and shelter to homeless families in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

Its sister charities, Caritas Italy, Greece, Macedonia, Austria and Serbia are helping refugees throughout Europe.

Families have fled for their lives with only the clothes they were wearing, says the charity. Many have seen family and friends killed and are now frightened, hungry and sleeping rough.

They desperately need shelter, food, water and other essentials urgently.

We must do whatever we can to care for those whose lives are being torn apart

Alistair Dutton, Sciaf’s director, said: “The wars in Syria and the wider region are destroying the lives of a generation of innocent people.

“Only a political solution will deliver the peace and stability they need to return home. Until then, we must do whatever we can to care for those whose lives are being torn apart, whether they are in the Middle East or Europe.

“Sciaf is already giving food, medical care, accommodation and counselling to people still trapped in Syria and thousands of refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.

“Our sister agencies in Europe are helping many more who have crossed the Mediterranean.

“Please do whatever you can to help us respond to this dreadful situation.”

Pope Francis has asked for Catholics across the world to take practical action to help refugees while the Archbishop of Glasgow Archdiocese Philip Tartaglia has said the UK should “open its heart and border to the refugees”.

People can make donations to SCIAF’s Refugee Crisis Appeal by calling 0141 354 5555 or online.