Over and Over Again
When I think of Aleppo, Joseph Campbell (author of ‘The Power of Myth’) comes to mind when he said chaos in the world today is not an illumination of humanity but the bungling of politicians motivated by greed and self-interest.
The atrocities committed in Aleppo are truly horrific: bombed-out hospitals, with thousands killed and children too traumatised to speak. Assad creates a desert and calls it peace. And world leaders fail to act. All I can do is share a song to express solidarity. Yet music is not enough.
If you’re so inclined, sign the petition (at https://www.change.org/p/join-me-in-standing-with-one-of-the-last-doctors-in-aleppo-call-world-leaders-to-act-now-to-savealeppo) started by Dr Hamza Al Khatib, one of the last doctors still working in east Aleppo. It has reached over 600,000 signatures. This petition - along with ones calling for aid drops and safe evacuations - will be handed to UK Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Barack Obama. At the time of writing there are some 50,000 people still trapped in east Aleppo waiting to be evacuated.
The United Nations Security Council is expected to vote over the weekend on a French-drafted proposal to ensure the operation is co-ordinated by international observers, with humanitarian aid allowed into Aleppo and hospitals given protection.
