Islamic Relief recreates war-torn Aleppo in experiential event
Melanie May | 27 April 2016 | News
Islamic Relief has transformed a warehouse in East London into the war-torn streets of Aleppo in an event aimed at raising awareness and funds for those affected.
The charity’s first experiential event, A Night in Aleppo was presented with The Emerald Network and aimed to provide an insight into what it is like to live in Syria.
Against a background of rubble and shattered buildings, and the sounds of bombs and gunfire, attendees saw damaged shops, a school, and a makeshift hospital.
Aid workers were seen risking their lives to provide food, water and other life-saving aid including medical supplies. Actors played the part of a variety of Aleppo’s residents, talking to those attending about their lives, recounting the real-life experiences of those who live in the city.
To help raise funds, the event included several fundraising prompts during the night, including within a speech from the charity’s deputy director Tufail Hussain and in the actors’ dialogue. Donations are still being processed but the charity’s projections suggest that the event has raised at least £15,000.
Fatima Ribeiro, the charity’s head of corporate partnerships, said:
“We were looking to offer people an immersive experience into what the living conditions of the Syrian people are like, five years after the start of the conflict, and use a softer fundraising technique, rather than the traditional methods.”
https://twitter.com/TufailH/status/722534728801370112
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A Night in Aleppo. V moving. An experiential event hosted by #Islamicrelief organised by @FatimaRibeiro #withSyria pic.twitter.com/qdRmOz7tOj
— Leonie Pendred (@leoniependred) April 19, 2016
Very proud to be part of #ANightInAleppo. We recreated the ruins of Aleppo but can never convey the fear and misery. pic.twitter.com/FCpA9jJgH1
— Imran Madden (@imranmadden) April 19, 2016
A moving and insightful night thanks to @IslamicReliefUK #ANightInAleppo #whitechapel #london pic.twitter.com/Ge4WkbR8Ih
— Snappin' Turtle (@snappint) April 19, 2016
"There were more of us. They tried to escape.. They were all killed." #ANightInAleppo pic.twitter.com/1HfnNlY6Kk
— Islamic Relief UK (@IslamicReliefUK) April 19, 2016
@IslamicReliefUK recreated a war-torn Syrian city in London together with rubble, 'blood' and grief.#ANightInAleppo pic.twitter.com/6TFaxFej7Q
— Sadiya (@esadiya) April 19, 2016
The sad reality of the lives of the children of Syria @TufailH @imranmadden @MartinCott #WithSyria #ANightInAleppo pic.twitter.com/DuSyjfuvjY
— Islamic Relief UK (@IslamicReliefUK) April 19, 2016
About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.