'A Night for Syria' - Trinity College students raise over €4,000 for UNICEF and UNHCR
'A Night for Syria' - Trinity College students raise over €4,000 for UNICEF and UNHCR
Modelling UNHCR sweatshirts and hats, UNICEF t-shirts and one swanky looking leather satchel, Trinity College students raised over €4,000 for the Syrian humanitarian crisis in a fundraiser held on Thursday 20 March. The event was organised by Christian and Muslims faith-based societies at Trinity College Dublin along with various cultural clubs, Dublin religious centres (including Clonskeagh Mosque, Hussiania Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Centre, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral), UNICEF Ireland, and UNHCR Ireland.
“The rationale for hosting a Syria charity event that brought Christians, Sunni Muslims, and Shia Muslims together was to create a platform whereby we can all work together, put politics and any differences aside” said Trinity student Waqas Ullah Khan, one of the three main organisers of the event along with Maham Mahmood and Sarah Quidwai.
Central to the event was the raising of funds through a charity auction with Ullah Khan adding that they hope the €4,000 raised will “help support those in humanitarian need; something we all share, the value of and respect for life”.
Representatives from UNCIEF Ireland and UNHCR Ireland spoke on the current humanitarian situation in Syria.
Sophie Magennis, Head of Office with UNHCR Ireland, told those present that “five years ago, Syria was the world’s second largest refugee-hosting country in the world. But in a cruel turn of events, after three years of conflict, Syrians are about to replace Afghans as the biggest refugee population worldwide”.
Magennis informed the audience on the work of UNHCR in assisting and offering protection to those most affected by the crisis, “UNHCR’s assistance includes registration, the provision of non-food items such as tents, blankets and kitchen sets, camp accommodation in places such as Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan and supports to refugees in urban settings”. Mike McGuire, fundraising manager with UNICEF Ireland, said that “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world”.
Over 100 people, mainly students, were in attendance and the amount raised exceeded their expectations. After taking part in a hugely successful auction and listening to the speeches of the guest speakers, the audience enjoyed a dinner provided by Al Safaa Food.
While the amount raised might seem like a drop in the ocean compared to the UN’s appeal of $6.5 billion, events such as the ‘Night for Syria’ are of vital importance in enabling humanitarian agencies and organisations like UNICEF and UNHCR to continue providing much-needed support to those affected by the Syrian humanitarian crisis.
All funds that were raised will be go directly to support the work of UNHCR and UNICEF in Syria and the surrounding region.
