THE IMAGE THAT SHOCKED THE WORLD
Alan Kurdi was one of at least 12 Syrians including his brother Galib and their mother Rehanna who drowned trying to reach the island of Kos in Greece during September 2015.
The family were originally from Kobani, a small city on the Syrian/Turkish border and although their family name was Shenu they were called Kurdi as they were ethnic Kurds.
After leaving home to escape ISIS attacks they were attempting to get to Europe first and then Canada where the family hoped to settle with relatives in Vancouver.
Their Aunt - Tima Kurdi - who was waiting for them in Canada wrote the book
The Boy on the Beach.
The two year old before his fatal journey
Credit: Wikipedia
Alan with his brother Galib, who also drowned
Credit: CBC
His body found on the beach near Bodrum in Turkey
Since 2015 when Alan, Galib and Rehanna died over 25,000 people have either drowned or gone missing trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
"The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic."
The deaths of these children and their mother was definitely a tragedy and held our attention for a day or two before the news cycle moved on.
The 25,000 have hardly been mentioned.
The million plus Iraqis and Syrians who have died in the last two decades are just a statistic to most of us.**
These are accounts of the author's personal experiences trying to help some of those who managed to reach the Greek Aegean Islands as they fled to Europe.
Not just from Syria and Iraq but Afghanistan, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and many other conflict zones.
These are the five Greek islands hosting refugee camps since 2015
** Casualty figures - especially for civilians - are vague, but known deaths plus excess mortality as a result of both conflicts - the "liberation" of Iraq and the Syrian Civil War - exceed one million.
Disclaimer
These accounts are based on written records of the author and others and on personal memories. While every effort has been made to portray events accurately and positively - differences in approach and attitudes may lead to occasional criticism. No group of individuals is perfect and neither am I, these accounts reflect my personal perspective of the impact on the lives of the people we were trying to help - the refugees. My views may well differ from those of others involved and for that I apologise.
Some names and minor elements of the accounts have been changed to protect the privacy or safety of individuals.