The haunting video features a poem written by 15 year old Omar. Omar and his family fled from Syria and are now living as refugees in Jordan. Here he met Carey Mulligan, who as global ambassador for War Child, was there to visit the work.
In the video Omar reads his poem and a selection of UK and international stars join Carey and Marcus to provide a translation. The poem features shocking lines such as: ‘Our news doesn’t change. It is always of the dead and the injured. Our blood became the headlines lines’.
Platinum selling Irish artist Hozier begins the poem and is followed by American actress and Glee star Dianna Agron. British actor and comedian Jack Whitehall lends his voice with solemnity, along with British pop sensation Rita Ora and Brit Award Critic’s Choice Jack Garrett. The closing lines are shared by Mumford and Sons lead singer Marcus Mumford.
The video urges viewers to sign a petition which takes less than a minute and calls for the UK government to do more to help protect children affected by conflict.
Across the Middle East, there are more than 4,750,000 Syrians registered as refugees. Half of these are under 18.
In 2000, world leaders made a pledge to provide all children with basic education by 2015, and War Child believes this pledge has failed those affected by conflict.
Rob Williams OBE, CEO War Child UK, says: “It’s been five years since many families were forced to leave their homes and the situation is still not improving for most.
“We’re really grateful for the fantastic support we have from Carey as our global ambassador and I would like to thank all the other artists, actors and musicians who have got involved to lend their time with this video.
“The situation for children like Omar in the Middle East is not easy. These are children who have been through trauma and then are denied access to educations and livelihoods.
“We need for the international community and British government to do more to protect children affected by conflict.”