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A Syrian refugee girl sits next to a sleeping baby inside a makeshift room in Alman town, in the Shouf area in Mount Lebanon, on World Refugee Day. Image Credit: Reuters

Sharjah: A massive campaign to help Syrian refugee children launched on World Refugee Day last week by Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has been extended till July 21.

The "Big Heart for Syrian refugee children" was launched on June 20 coinciding with the World Refugee Day by Shaikha Jawaher in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and the Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). There is no shortage of heartbreaking accounts of Syrians fleeing their homeland to escape the death and horror, escaping with next to nothing.

The number of Syrian refugees is constantly growing. The Latest UNHCR figures show that there are over 1.7 million refugees as opposed to the 1.6 million figure that was just recorded last week. Most Syrian refugees take refuge in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.

Right for security

And those who suffer the most in any war are the children. That is why the campaign is dedicated to aid the children.

"Children are more vulnerable to injury and permanent disability. They also lose their innocence when they are forced to skip their childhood and become breadwinners overnight — looking after their younger siblings and elderly grandparents." Shaikha Jawaher had said in an earlier interview.

"Children of Syria are mine and yours… It is their birthright to have security, health and education…let’s work together to provide it to them," Shaikha Jawaher said.

People can contribute through different channels; text messages, bank transfers or by buying packages.

Anyone who owns an etisalat number can donate by sending an SMS to corresponding numbers that will allow them to donate Dh10, Dh50 or Dh100.

People can buy packages and the money collected will go towards the Big Heart campaign. Packages include scarves and flags with the campaign’s logo. The package prices are between Dh1,000 and Dh6,000.

One can also donate by transferring money to the bank account dedicated to the campaign "The Salam Ya Seghar For Syrian Refugee Children" directly.

On July 21, a new campaign with the same purpose will be launched to continue collecting donations that can help give Syrian children a better life.