Kiwi aid workers share first-hand experiences of Syria on World Humanitarian Day

New Zealand aid workers will mark World Humanitarian Day (Monday, August 19) by hearing from Kiwis who have been working amidst the biggest humanitarian crisis of our time.

Humanitarians from New Zealand’s leading aid agencies, TEAR Fund, World Vision, The Red Cross and Amnesty, will join with Auckland’s Syrian community to share experiences from the conflict in Syria, which has displaced almost 7 million people.

Guest speakers at public meeting run by the Disaster Relief Forum (NDRF) include TEAR Fund’s Andy Robinson, who has just returned from Syria, and World Vision’s Alison Maccoll who will speak live from Beirut. Members of Auckland’s Syrian community will also share their perspective on the conflict.

NDRF chair and CEO of TEAR Fund Ian McInnes says, while World Humanitarian Day officially acknowledges humanitarians, the NDRF wants to highlight the plight of the Syrian victims, especially children, through the eyes of some great Kiwi humanitarians. “We want to raise awareness of the enormity of the humanitarian effort in Syria. The UN alone has appealed for $5.2 billion to meet the need in Syria. This is the most the UN has ever asked for,” he says.

New Zealand aid workers are assisting in conflicts all over the globe. On this World Humanitarian Day, the New Zealand public can find out more about what these humanitarian workers do, and how their work is making a difference.

NDRF members responding to the Syria crises are: ADRA, Caritas, CWS, Oxfam, Save the Children, TEAR Fund, UNICEF and World Vision.

When: Monday August 19
Where: TEAR Fund’s office at 64c Stoddard Rd Mount Roskill
Time: 4pm

The event is free and all are welcome

NDRF is facilitated by the Council for International Development.

ENDS

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