Humanitarian Crises: Almas Jiwani to Deliver Keynote Address at the Syrian Refugees Sponsorship Program Fundraiser Gala in Markham, Ontario

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 20, 2016) -

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Almas Jiwani, CEO of the Almas Jiwani Foundation, will deliver keynote address via video conference call at a fundraiser to benefit the Syrian Refugees Sponsorship Program, which will take place in Markham, Ontario on June 30, 2016.

This is one of the first of two major events taking place to fundraise for the families and refugees from Syria. The event will focus on the needs currently faced and the conditions under which the Syrian refugees are enduring in Syria and in refugee camps. This fundraiser will assist in alleviating the financial difficulty faced once refugees have made it to safety, and to help them begin and focus on their healing journey.

One of the goals of this fundraiser event is to raise awareness of the circumstances the refugees are currently facing in the camps and how much help is needed.

"I'm honoured to be able to address the Syrian Refugees Sponsorship Program and to bring much needed attention to the refugee crisis," said Almas Jiwani. "The international community has a responsibility to these fellow human beings to provide any available aid to stop their senseless suffering."

"In my experience, with the support of Movement on the Ground, I was able to assist and see firsthand the devastating state of refugees in Lesvos. I have witnessed the traumatizing and deadly conditions refugees endure in freezing cold weather forced into dinghies in the dark of the night. I am so grateful for the work done to support these refugees. It is through fundraisers like these that we can help people understand the circumstances that refugees are facing in camps. We all have a vital role we can play to support humanitarian crisis" said Almas Jiwani.

"It has been an honour and absolutely gratifying to be able to sponsor Syrian families," said Amir Ajani of the Syrian Refugees Sponsorship Program. "This provides us the opportunity to provide a holistic approach to their growth in their new country of Canada, one that respects diversity and human dignity, and Almas Jiwani serves as an inspiration for the Program. We need to do everything we can in these circumstances to support these refugees."

There are currently over 54,000 refugees in Greece alone, living in dire humanitarian conditions awaiting their fate during one of the largest refugee crisis this century has seen. Movement on the Ground is committed to helping them live in a more dignified way through our Sea to Safety and Camp to Campus projects in Lesvos and Athens. We are highly supportive of the Syrian Refugees Sponsorship Program run by Canada and are very pleased to hear of the Fundraiser Gala taking place, to provide a peaceful, dignified future for the abundance of families in need. -Movement on the Ground team

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.meetup.com/fr-FR/Toronto-Ismaili-Friends-Network-TIFN/events.

ABOUT ALMAS JIWANI FOUNDATION

Empowering women and girls through focused projects that directly address gender equality, education, entrepreneurship, entertainment and energy rights. Through empowering women and girls in targeted areas, AJF hopes to improve societal and economic conditions in the developing world. Projects include providing sustainable energy to provide a better education, better living conditions and to create the environment where women can thrive as entrepreneurs in any region.

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