A film by Sean McAllister

After watching A Syrian Love Story, how can you help?

The conflict in Syria is now well into its fifth year. Over 4 million Syrian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries and see no prospect of returning home in the near future. The UN reports that over 7.5 million Syrians have now been internally displaced. Estimates say that over 220,000 people have now lost their lives as a result of the conflict. Over 12 million people in Syria are in desperate need of humanitarian aid such as food, water and shelter. Many live under siege.

“When the people that I want to communicate with watch A Syrian Love Story they can no longer watch the Calais ‘crisis’ on TV news and just see ‘swarms or ‘floods’ of faceless figures (as Cameron likes to call them) trying to flee Syria and enter Europe of the UK as if they are coming to steal something from us... They will know Amer, Raghda, Kaka and beautiful little Bob and see a family full of love, that laugh and cry and live and who have many friends who have died... and through this film, shot sensitively with love over 5 years, open themselves in rare way for the world to see, fighting, drinking dancing, dreaming... all the things the news doesn’t have time for, all the things that documentary has and should do, to challenge all the stereotypes of what we film and show life as it is.”

Help vital organisations inside Syria

On the ground in Syria, support the White Helmets: www.whitehelmets.org

Syria Civil Defence, a volunteer search and rescue workers from local communities, risking their lives to save others. To date, they have delivered public services to nearly 7 million people, including reconnecting electrical cables, providing safety information to children and securing buildings. They are the largest civil society organisation operating in areas outside of government control, and their actions provide hope for millions.

UK and international appeals

• British Red Cross Syria Crisis Appeal: The Red Cross gives urgent aid, medical care, food among other essentials to those in desperate need.
• International Rescue Committee: restoring safety to the millions forced to flee their homes.
• Medecins Sans Frontieres: providing surgery and healthcare to those affected by conflict. They are appealing for help to provide essential medical supplies for its hospitals in Syria.
• Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS): to help prevent loss of migrant life at sea.
• Oxfam’s Syria Crisis Appeal: Oxfam has already reached over one million people who are desperately in need. Help them in continuing to support those who are suffering.
• Refugee Action provide emergency care parcels and advice on claiming asylum.
• UNICEF’s Children of Syria Appeal: giving children crucial supplies such as clean water, medicine and psychological support.
• UNHCR’s Syria Crisis Appeal: UNHCR aims to provide basic humanitarian aid and protect those most vulnerable from “greater suffering, exploitation and dangerous abuse”.
• World Food Programme: the largest humanitarian agency working inside Syria, WFP helps provide food assistance to those most in need.
• World Vision Syria Crisis Appeal: providing food, water, blankets, education and shelter.

Sharing the message and staying in touch!

Twitter: @SyrianLoveStory #ASyrianLoveStory

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ASyrianLoveStoryFilm

Film Website: www.asyrianlovestory.com

Sean McAllister Website: www.seanmcallister.com