Charity Aid to the Church is Need warns that many Christians want to leave Syria because of the struggle for basic needs. 

Children in Syria are also reported to be scavenging for food as the country's economic crisis spirals out of control. 

Regina Lynch, director of projects for charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), says people are trying to survive on very little. 

She said: "An associate of one of our project partners showed me pictures on her phone, which she took from her flat. You can see a little girl inside a large rubbish bin, rummaging, passing things to her mother. 

"The nun who was with us told her [the project partner], 'Next time you see this, please go to them and give them money. I will repay you later.' It breaks my heart to see such things."

Ms. Lynch said Syrians are tired from a decade of civil war and insecurity amid reports that Turkish forces have been shelling the northeast of the country. 

She said: "Syrians are wondering how they are going to rebuild, who is going to help them rebuild the country. But, before that, there has to be some form of peace. 

"They are trying to survive on a dollar a day - unthinkable in a country where, before the war, a large part of the population lived quite comfortably."

The crisis has sparked an exodus of Christians from Syria and Lebanon as well, said Ms Lynch: "It's truly tragic. Many of the Christians we talked to [in Lebanon], those whom we know, their relatives, want to leave. For so many, survival is a real uphill struggle with basic needs in short supply. 

"Before the crisis, a teacher could earn between US$1,700 or $2,000 a month. Now, with inflation and the devaluation of Lebanese pounds against the dollar, a teacher's salary is worth $120 to $150 at most.

"To put it sadly: the people are anxious. It's getting worse and worse. Last year we were in Beirut but this time we really saw the decline and despair. 

"The same goes for Syria. Before the crisis, Aleppo was home to an estimated 300,000 Christians of different denominations, now some say that only 30,000 are left."

Father,

We pray that the people in Syria and Lebanon will be provided for and be able  to stay in their homes and around the people they know and love.

We ask that those who leave are given a warm welcome in the country they move to and that churches are at the forefront of their welcome.

Please bring stability and peace to Syria and Lebanon.

Amen.