After Syrian citizens in eastern Aleppo shared 'goodbye' messages as government forces closed in on rebel-held areas earlier this week, Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has described the atrocities against Syrians as 'the worst of our past repeating itself'.
In a statement shared on the Malala Fund's Facebook page on Wednesday, the 19-year-old wrote: 'When I look at Syria, I see the Rwandan genocide. When I read the desperate words of Bana Alabed in Aleppo, I see Anne Frank in Amsterdam.'
She also took the opportunity to urge the international community to 'do everything they can to end this inhumane war'.
The statement comes days after the U.N called for an emergency meeting after 82 civilians were reportedly killed in Aleppo as pro-Assad troops (those fighting for President Bashar Hafez al-Assad) attempted to take back the capital.
Here's Yousafzai's full statement :
'Today I feel as though I'm watching the worst of our past repeat itself.
When I look at Syria, I see the Rwandan genocide. When I read the desperate words of Bana Alabed in Aleppo, I see Anne Frank in Amsterdam.
To the children under siege in Aleppo, I pray that you will get out safely. I pray that you will grow up strong, go to school and see peace in your country some day.
But prayers are not enough. We must act. The international community must do everything they can to end to this inhumane war. The Syrian regime must give safe passage to people who want to leave and allow aid workers into Aleppo to save as many lives as they can.
May God be with the children of Aleppo, even if our world leaders are not.'
When conflict occurs so far away across the world, we often feel powerless to help victims, but there are ways to help.
Here's how you can help those suffering in Syria today:
- Donate to Oxfam's Syria Crisis Appeal
- Donate to Doctors Without Borders
- Support The White Helmets
- Support the International Committee of The Red Cross
- Donate to Save The Children's Syrian Children's Relief Fund
- Support the UN's Refugee Agency
- Donate to Refugee Action
- Give a voice to your opinions and support refugees with Amnesty International
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
