We were in Manchester University on 1 June along with a team of volunteers to encourage students to sign a petition and write to their MPs to conduct aid drops on besieged areas in Syria. This initiative was done to mark the deadline that the ISSG gave to the Assad regime to let in aid to besieged areas. We managed to gather over 100 signatures!
We enjoyed a day out on the bank holiday Monday of 30 May in York and Bolton Abbey. We departed from Manchester in two buses and went to various destinations within these areas. If was a sunny relaxing and enjoyable day for all members of the family!
The International Syria Support Group has released a statement which 'calls on the World Food Program to immediately carry out a program for air bridges and air drops for all areas in need' if aid is not let into Syria's besieged communities by 1 June. Member states also pledged 'to support such a program'.
We hosted a film screening on 25 May in collaboration with Save the Children UK of "This is Exile", an extraordinary intimate portrait of Syrian child refugees forced to flee from the violence in Syria to neighbouring Lebanon. We had a very honest and in-depth discussion following the movie on some of the issues that came out of this film.
In response to the seven bombings that occurred in the Syrian coastal cities of Jableh and Tartous on 23 May, we released a statement on 24 to condemn these attacks by Daesh and to stress that we value civilian life 'whether in rebel or government-held territory, and regardless of the religious or ethnic identities or the political affiliations of those killed'.
Rethink Rebuild Society signed on to a letter sponsored by Syria Solidarity UK calling upon the organisers of a prominent Crossing Borders conference in Greece (on the issue of refugees) to disinvite one of its speakers, Tim Anderson, given his support of the Assad regime. Importantly, the letter stated that 'Academics who provide political cover
Rethink Rebuild Society signed on to a statement to be used in the World Humanitarian Summit outlining key demands of Syrian and supporting organisations with respect to changing the international community's approach to addressing the Syrian conflict. Specifically, we called for:
- Protection of civilians and non-military targets
- Humanitarian access
We attended Syria Relief's annual dinner on 21 May which provided the community with an update about its work inside Syria and encouraged audience members to continue to support the charity's efforts. The event was well attended and the charity was able to fundraise a record amount.
Well done to our heroes for participating in the Great Manchester Run on 21 May to raise money for Iqraa school in alsahharin Syria. This year we raised a record of over £23,000.
We spoke at a conference on 20 May hosted by the Community Safety Forum titled 'Communities Together to Tackle Daesh'. This conference was aimed at highlighting the expertise within the community to identify and address the threats emanating from Daesh.