Aid to call home

Like many migrant workers around the world, 48-year-old New Jersey resident Jamal Laham sends his hard-earned cash to his family in his native Syria. But the Arab Spring revolution and what came after changed all that.

“I lost nine family members in the past year in Syria from violence,” an emotional Laham told “Real Money with Ali Velshi.” 

The chemical attack in his hometown of the Kafar Batana suburb of Damascus became a startling reminder of how human lives can be affected in an instant. 

For years Laham sent his family money through wire services and personally delivered it when traveling to Syria. 

For many Syrians now, remittances - money sent from a distance - are a lifeline, allowing them access to basic subsistence like food, shelter and clothing.

World Bank economist Dilip Ratha says remittances are a steady source of income, especially for unstable countries. Since the uprising in Syria, Ratha says there have been disruptions with sending money back home. 

“The Syrian government has banned remittances from GCC countries, leading many to seek informal channels to support loved ones in Syria and in neighboring countries,” a new World Bank report shows.

As a result, families like Laham’s are now sending money through charities like the Swasia Charity Foundation with hopes the aid will reach their families quicker and safer, free of disruptions.

“They don’t need dollars now, they need food, they need clothing,” Laham says. 

Laham, who lives with his three sons, volunteers with Swasia preparing containers of food and clothing for families.

According to a new UN report, 232 million people live outside their countries of birth. That’s 3.2 percent of the world’s population compared with 175 million in 2000 and 154 million in 1990. 

These migrants send over $300 billion in remittances and it is expected to reach $414 billion this year. 

A World Bank study also shows that remittances were a steady source of income for developing countries during the global economic crisis. The top recipients in 2010 were India, China, Mexico and the Philippines. The top remittance sending countries in 2009 were the United States, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Russia and Germany. 

Ratha, who has studied the more than $300 billion global value of remittances, says money sent to Syria amounts to about $2 billion yearly. 

It is the aid that’s keeping Laham connected with his family for now. Laham prepares food for a local halal restaurant in New Jersey in addition to volunteering with Swasia. 

“This food, this clothing is money. It’s my connection to my family, to all of Syria,” Laham said.

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