Lebanon is protesting again. Despite the lockdown measures that were implemented as part of the corona response, people are taking back to the streets. The revolution that started in October 2019 did not bring any positive changes and the corona crisis and subsequent loss of income and work for hundreds of thousands of people only […]
Monday, April 6 Even under the threat from the corona virus, life continues. Here in the Netherlands, but also in Azaz, where Ahmed lives after he fled Saraqeb with his family. His wife gave birth to a baby boy there a few days ago. Sa’ad is the couple´s third child, and their first son. I […]
People in Idlib are also following the news about how the corona virus is spreading across Europe. On Saturday I got an anxious message from Ahmed asking if we were OK in the Netherlands. Since Ahmed’s an expert in dealing with crises and threats, I thought I would ask him if he has any tips […]
Friday, March 6 The ceasefire that Erdogan and Putin agreed started went into effect at midnight. It includes a “safety corridor” to be established north and south of the M4 motorway that passes Saraqeb. “Hi Ahmed, has the ceasefire made any difference?” “I called some friends in Sarmin and Idlib city and they said there […]
PAX wants to promote learning at the individual, collective and organisational levels. To this end, we have worked for the past few years with Intrac, a well known and respected consultancy for ngo’s. Their mandate is “to strengthen the effectiveness of civil society to challenge poverty and inequality, empowering people to gain greater control over […]
Friday, February 28 In the news: rebels have recaptured Saraqeb from the government army and Turkey has opened its border with Greece, allowing refugees to leave Turkey. Time to give Ahmed another call. “Hi Ahmed — how are you doing now?” “Good, good — and you?” “I’m fine. I just heard the news about Saraqeb. […]
February 18 Everything is falling apart. More and more people are fleeing from the Syrian army — 900,000 people have taken flight, but as the army keeps advancing, the space to flee gets smaller every day. The army is taking over more villages and towns, and refugees are everywhere. On the street, in tent camps […]
Suddenly, it happened. An endless stream of refugees leaving the city. Saraqeb used to be a city of more than 40,000 inhabitants. Now it’s empty. Everyone has joined the hundreds of thousands fleeing in front of the advancing army. Ahmed is one of them. January 28 “Ahmed?” “………………. (no answer)” Later I get a voice […]
Remember. Share the stories. Search for, find and share the stories of as many different people as possible. As many different perspectives as possible. To get somewhere near a complete picture of the past, and the present, many voices are needed, and I am grateful to all the journalists, podcasters, writers, and family members who […]
Friday 17 January News coming out of Idlib is without exception negative. The ceasefire between Russia and Turkey didn’t last long. The refugees who were on their way back during the brief ceasefire have fled again. According to the UN, 350,000 more people have fled recently. Although the fighting is taking place mainly in southern […]