MAFRAQ — The international community cannot remain silent to the suffering of Syrian refugees, and people all over the world should raise their voices for their sake, Malala Yousafzai said on Tuesday.
She noted that people should donate to organisations that are working to support Syrian children.
“If we think that we are far away and would be safe, it is not true because terrorism can spread. If we want to be safe and help these people, we have to speak and stand up,” she told reporters at the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Mafraq.
The young Pakistani activist said she was happy to meet with children at the camp who showed her their drawings and talents.
“I am really thankful for Jordan and its people for the support and help they have provided to the Syrian people,” she added at a press conference held during a tour of the camp.
“I thank global and local organisations like the UNHCR and UNICEF for the help they have provided to Syrian children, because they have playgrounds where they can play football or any other game.”
The 16-year-old noted that she came to shed light on the situation of vulnerable children who are suffering due to the Syrian crisis.
She noted that the Malala Fund’s next project is to help Syrian refugees.
“Our next project is to support a refugee education programme run by a Syrian teacher in east Amman and launch a community-based programme,” she added.
Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala’s father, said Syria’s young generation should be protected.
“These children are really amazing and if this generation is lost, Syria is lost. If Syria is lost this whole region is lost,” he added.
Through the Malala Fund and in partnership with Save the Children, two projects will be supported benefiting Syrian and Jordanian children in Jordan, according to the fund’s co-founder and CEO, Shiza Shahid.
“We appeal to the global community to donate. These children are the responsibility of people across the world,” she said.
