An exhibition revealing the tragic humanitarian situation behind the headlines in Syria will take place in Salford today.
Syria: Waiting for peace chronicles the challenges faced by aid agencies in the country and will take place at the Imperial War Museum North between 6.30pm and 8.45pm.
The event was organised by aid workers from Oxfam GB, Syria Relief, Islamic Relief and Human Appeal International.
Oxfam media officer Serena Tramonti said she believes the success of the exhibition is a testament to the people of Manchester.
She said: “The fact that the exhibition is sold out shows the level of interest from the people of Greater Manchester and how they feel about the issue.
“This is a city that stands up for injustice, so it’s not unsurprising that so many people want to attend the exhibition.”
This sentiment is echoed by Sale photographer Matthew Norman, 46, who spent ten days in Syria earlier this year.
He said: “Manchester’s history is rich with positive immigration, it has a history of sheltering and aiding those in need.
“I believe people in Manchester have a greater understanding and feeling for human anguish and they have an intuitiveness about freedom and respect.”
Mr Norman spent time with Syria Relief in Idlib, 36 miles west of Syria’s largest city Aleppo.
In the last few days Syrian opposition have claimed that Aleppo was the most recent target for chemical attacks allegedly carried out by the Assad regime.
This destruction was evident from the start of his visit.
He revealed: “It was unsettling when we travelled into towns where there were obvious signs of heavy fighting – rows upon rows of destroyed houses and shops, bullet holes everywhere.”
Despite what he describes as ‘near-anarchy’ he was struck by how clean the children were.
He said: “Even in the chaos of the refugee camps, their mothers were keeping their clothes absolutely spotless. Not all of them but the majority.”
He described the people he met as lovely, inquisitive and intelligent.
“Although I didn’t actually witness truly horrific scenes, meaning I didn’t see freshly killed or dismembered bodies, I had gone out there not really wanting to photograph that stuff anyway – it’s already out there in the press,” he said.
“I wanted to capture the lives of the people trying to live as best they could. Families are being caught up in this terrifying conflict with very little support.”
When asked about the recent stories regarding the alleged use of chemical weapons, Mr Norman said he was ‘horrified.’
He said: “There were despicable acts being carried out whilst I was there – a cluster bomb was dropped in a refugee camp a few minutes away from where I was filming.
“I did get the feeling that these people were being brutally punished just for living there and that any airstrikes were not for strategic reasons at all.”
As MPs were called back early from their summer breakto discuss what action to take on Syria, Mr Norman doesn’t believe military action is the best way forward.
“Plying soldiers with weapons doesn’t seem like a good idea to me – no matter what side they’re given to. More weapons mean more deaths,” he said.
Firstly help the families that are caught up in this conflict – provide them with essentials, offer them safety,” he said.
In addition to Mr Norman’s photographs visitors will be able to listen to the experiences of a Syrian doctor and a debate chaired by BBC broadcaster Talat Farooq Awan.
If you would like information on how to donate to Syria Relief visit http://www.syriarelief.org.uk/03-donating
Picture courtesy of Matthew Norman, with thanks
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