A MOTHER who fled war-torn Syria is pleading for her three-year-old child to be allowed to join her in Glasgow.

Her son, who was injured in a bomb blast is also suffering from an infection caused by a chemical being put into the water supply.

Marwa Kassab, 26, came to Glasgow from Aleppo in Syria, seven months ago and had to leave her three-year-old son Yahya with family members.

She said: "There is no ­water or electricity. My son's face was injured and there is no treatment at hospital."

Marwa is one of three mothers looking for help to bring their children to Glasgow.

They say they are "dying every day" during months of waiting to see if their children can join them.

They say they are frustrated with the system and worry their families will be injured or killed in the conflict they have been caught up in.

The women had to leave family members behind because the journey across borders to seek refuge in western countries is so dangerous.

Mona Hussain, 34, arrived in Glasgow seven months ago after fleeing war-ravaged Syria.

She was granted leave to remain from the Home ­Office but says she cannot eat or sleep because her family's future is uncertain.

Her husband and four children, aged between 12 and 17, fled to Greece for safety but they are now stuck there because they do not have passports to allow them to come to the UK. Mona is urging the authorities to ask the British Embassy there to allow the family to come to the UK with another ID document.

With the help of an interpreter Mona said: "Everything was turned upside down when the war started. We have lost all our belongings.

"For two years my children have not been in school. They are so brilliant and intelligent and it breaks my heart that they can't learn.

"I really thought if I made it here my family would be able to join me. I feel so disappointed in the system. I'm dying every day."

Mona said the situation her family were facing in Greece was dismal.

She said: "The conditions in Greece are awful for them. They have no money, my husband cannot work. They rely on good people giving them food.

"I am just wishing for help from anyone who can help."

Hana Ali, 36, fled from persecution in Eritrea after being raped and abused by authorities there, and has been in Glasgow for around eight months. The 36-year-old was granted Leave to Remain and lives in the city with her five-year-old son Ahmed.

But her four-year-old son Akram is stuck in Greece and being looked after by a friend.

She said: "I just want him to be safe with me. I could not manage to travel with him when he was so young.

"I am so desperate for him."

Marwa also spoke of the harsh reality of everyday life in Syria since conflict began more than three years ago.

She said: "My family is wanted over there so if they are found they will be killed. They are living ­under siege.

"There are fears from ­Islamic State (IS) and the Government from the other side, and there are always bombs.

"If I can't speak to my family for two or three days I panic. I worry all the time."

Marwa, who is seeking asylum and is waiting for an interview, fears it will take months or years to be reunited with her son.

Their call for help has been echoed by Evening Times Community Champion Ahlam Souidi, who says more should be done to help vulnerable people who have fled their home to seek safety.

Ahlam, who helps to run the United Nations in Scotland (Unis) group which supports asylum seekers, said: "The Home Office needs to improve the system. They need to look at the cases and if some-thing is a high priority they need to act on it. Refugees have been through so much to get to safety.

"It can be very dangerous crossing borders and they have made a lot of sacrifices to come to safety. The system just does not work. I would call for better communication - these women feel they are left in limbo."

Joe Brady, head of refugee integration, Scottish Refugee Council, said refugees were often "forced to make tough choices when escaping dangers, and this meant families could be separated at short notice".

He added: "When people receive refugee status in the UK, they have the right to bring their families to join them, but are often faced by obstacles such as confusing paperwork, long waiting times and a lack of legal advice.

"Prior to 2010 , the Scottish Refugee Council provided legal advice on family reunion, but since the closure of this service the length of time people have waited to be reunited with their families has increased.

"We would support any moves by UK Visas and Immigration to make the family reunion process easier for people to navigate, for example by the introduction of a single Family Reunion application form and by ensuring that staff and contractors at home and overseas are aware of refugees' rights to family reunion."

A Home Office spokesman said: "Refugees can get advice from Scottish Refugee Council, Red Cross or their solicitor on how to arrange for their family to be reunited."

rachel.loxton@ eveningtimes.co.uk