I'm sure many of you have seen the tragic image of three year Aylan Kurdi, his poor little body washed up on a Turkish beach. He and his family had fled the violence and destruction in Syria hoping for a better life. Instead he, his brother Galip and their mother Rehan drowned after their boat capsized. The photo of him lying on the shore is heartbreaking and haunting. I have it in my head now along with that deep dark sinking feeling of sorrow and sadness for that little boy, with my own little boy just a few months younger. More could have been done and more should have been done.
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| Image source: Mammasaurus |
The plight of refugees is a subject close to my heart. I was in Syria some years ago just as the conflict was beginning and have spent several years working on refugee related projects. In my previous job I worked on a big international project which included several Syrian co-workers. A couple of them could no longer work because their towns had been extensively bombed and reduced to utter rubble, they had nothing left. Search for the city 'Aleppo' in google and you'll see why people are leaving. I've mentioned before I worked in a Palestinian refugee camp and spent many years campaigning on my return. Since having my little boy I don't do as much as I used to do because I just don't have the time. But I still have the passion and the urge to help in anyway I can. I hope you do too.
A few parenting bloggers coordinated the #SaveSyriasChildren campaign in collaboration with Save the Children and I am so proud of them and anyone else who spreads the word. The image of innocent children dying around the world is not rare unfortunately. The UN estimate 10,000 Syrian children have died during the civil war, with an overall death toll of 220,000. Millions have fled the conflict looking for a better life and it's so sad that poor little Aylan and his family didn't make it. These are people like you and me. It could have been me. It could have been you.
There’s lots that you could do from the comfort of your own home.
Please don’t turn a blind eye.
Do Something to help.
Anything.
Whatever you decide, don’t choose apathy.
#SaveSyriasChildren To donate £5 please text SYRIA to 70008 until 31st December 2015 as part of Save the Children's Syria Emergency Appeal.
To find out other ways you can help please read this Guardian article on the most effective ways to help refugees.
Thanks for the very informative post. It's such a shame what is happening to innocent people there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting. It really is a shame x
DeleteThank you for sharing. I've read about the plight of Syrian refugees, and it is heartbreaking. While countries like Germany, France, and Austria have opened their borders, certainly more can be done by the international community. Without question, individual donations can help alleviate the suffering. However, without the response of more world leaders, the tragedy is unlikely to be resolved.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. It's true, world leaders need to do more and sometimes they need a push from people like us :) x
DeleteThanks for your post, it really is a heartbreaking situation and it's so important to raise awareness.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer! It is heart-breaking and the suffering continues. I'm glad the campaign has made a little difference but obviously more needs to be done x
DeleteThank you for this post - I watched a video last night about the refugees arriving in Germany and it was wonderful to see people being so welcoming. I've donated and really need to look at more ways I can be of help.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment. It's such a difficult situation especially with everything that has gone on in the last few weeks in Europe. Hoping it somehow improves.
DeleteSuch a sad situation :( I wish I could do more, but I do what I can.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. It's true but I really do think every little helps :)
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