In this September edition, CanDo’s Shorouk brings you the latest from our partners on the ground.

I crouch next to the toilet trying to suppress the wave of nausea that threatens to take over me. I wonder for the 100th time if I should leave the WhatsApp group. ‘I can’t bear to see these photos anymore’, I think to myself...

I strongly believe that to make the most effective change we need to change the narrative first. We need to shift the balance away from an inward looking, ‘how does this affect me’ attitude, towards an empathic, outward looking, ‘we’re all in this together’ viewpoint.

I think these days are about reflecting on what are the lessons learnt. It is the lessons and not only the events that have unfolded that are universal lessons for all of humanity and that’s why the day is important; not just for Syrians but for all of us. We can shed tears and lament but it is only by extracting lessons and collectively learning, only by all of us renewing wholeheartedly our ‘never again’ promise, that something positive and meaningful can come out of such disasters.

For me, a humanitarian is someone who wants a fair deal for people - who wants to help people who are not as well off as them. 

Too often, I hear from friends that they are overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the world’s problems and so end up doing nothing - they feel that their tiny actions won’t matter. But I think they are wrong.

I worry about my kids falling and hurting themselves. Parents and guardians in war-torn Syria are scared to let their children out to play in case they step on a landmine...

I’ve worked with medics for over 16 years, but I never knew the half of what these angels did, or the pressure they are under, especially during the delivery...

Twins Lilas and Lilian at their home. Photo credit: Independent Doctors Association.