🇸🇾 Heartbeat – Zade, Ansam and the children of Syria | دقة قلب – زيد وأنسام وأطفال سوريا

“A war when more children and women die than grown armed men is a very dirty war.” – UN Special Advisor Jan Egeland

As the war in Syria enters its seventh year, many of us feel helpless. We hear stories about children such as Fares, a 6-year-old from Syria who has never seen a classroom in his life, and we wish there was something we could do.

But we must not give up hope. Together, we can take action. Together, the Messengers of Humanity can show their solidarity with the Syrian people.

Remember, you are not alone

The United Nations and our partners in Syria are delivering aid to millions of civilians, trying their best to reach as many people as possible. And on 4 and 5 May, world leaders will come together in Brussels to discuss the future of Syria and to find a lasting political resolution.

Children’s suffering has hit rock bottom in Syria as the conflict reaches six years. The song, which is composed and donated to UNICEF by Zade Dirani, UNICEF Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa, is a message of hope from Syria’s children to the children and people of the world, with a simple request to get their childhood back.

The song is performed by 10 year-old Ansam, an internally displaced girl in Syria who was born blind. The song was shot in an area of Syria heavily damaged by the fighting. Children performing as part of the choir are all internally displaced and participate, along with Ansam, in UNICEF psychosocial support programmes.

Action 1:  Make sure that Syria is not forgotten – share on social media

Action 2: Encourage universities to offer scholarships for refugees

For refugee students, not being able to continue their studies is devastating. Help them by writing an e-mail or a letter to your own university or a college near you and ask them to support a refugee. You can also e-mail major universities in the USA, asking them to admit more refugees. Here is a handy template. 

Action 3: Support internally displaced people in Syria

We hear a lot about refugees who seek safety outside Syria, but more than six million Syrians are displaced within their own country. They are often forced to flee at very short notice and have to leave everything behind. Many of them find refuge with host families, but others have to stay in overcrowded shelters. As the conflict continues, they are struggling to find food and water and are in dire need of humanitarian aid. If you want to help internally displaced people in Syria, you can donate to the UN’s humanitarian fund in Syria. Your donation will provide emergency food, water, shelter, medicine and other life-saving assistance to those who need it most.

Action 4: Help refugees to integrate into a new culture

Refugees often feel lonely and isolated when they try to restart their life in a new country. Could you see yourself mentoring a refugee family? Imagine teaching the kids your language or helping the parents figure out the public transport system. Even small gestures of friendship can mean a great deal! A quick Google search can show you which groups and local non-profits are active in your area and looking for volunteers.

Article posted April 6, 2017 by Messengers of Humanity

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