Syria’s devastating war through the eyes of a Hong Kong nurse
- Walter Leung Wai-yin has been on several missions for the Red Cross, but his latest to a hospital in the Al Hol camp has left him with vivid images of young, helpless victims of the war in Syria
Saad still has chubby, small hands like most children his age do. But his dark and penetrative eyes could belong to an adult. Though Saad is only 2 years old, the destruction caused by Syria’s deadly war has already left him with many invisible marks.
Saad had a fever and diarrhoea when he got to the hospital, a short walk on parched earth from the camp where he lives. Between his tent and the hospital, there are no trees and few places to escape the scorching sun.
Leung, a volunteer with the Hong Kong Red Cross, still recalls how afraid Saad was.
“Many children there are easily frightened. Many witnessed their family members being killed right in front of their eyes,” the nurse said. “Saad saw his father being shot … so he was easily frightened and scared by some noises.”
Due to intense fighting, thousands of Syrian families have fled their homes. While some were able to find refuge at friends’ and relatives’ homes, or sought asylum in other countries, many remain stranded at displaced persons shelters, camps or makeshift settlements.
