KERRY WOMAN ANNE O’Rourke has spent the previous decade serving to Syrian refugees displaced by battle, founding the charity TIAFI in Izmir, Turkey, to help households rebuilding their lives.
Now, for the primary time for the reason that fall of Bashar al-Assad, she is travelling to Homs, one of many cities hardest hit by Syria’s civil battle, to assist set up a brand new base for the charity’s work in a rustic the place the scars of battle stay starkly seen.
TIAFI is primarily funding physiotherapists to help youngster amputees and kids with undiagnosed situations affecting their mobility – wants which have gone untreated for a few years amid the devastation of battle and the collapse of important providers.
Two physiotherapists with the charity are understanding of a small rented storage in Homs, which Anne is hoping to completely renovate and match out with specialist tools sooner or later.
In Turkey, O’Rourke labored alongside a big group of volunteers offering Syrian refugees with sizzling meals and academic help, in addition to help for youngsters with extra medical wants.
Now, as the general public who relied on these providers have left Turkey, the charity is winding down its work there and redirecting its efforts in the direction of Syria.
TIAFI is presently supporting 30 kids with free physio classes, however there’s a demand for expanded helps.
“We’ve a ready record so long as your arm, with over 60 kids on it.
“You might be speaking about kids with scoliosis and cystic fibrosis who by no means obtained correct medical intervention or therapy due to the battle and its impression, after which additionally kids who’ve had amputations as a result of accidents they sustained in strikes through the battle,” O’Rourke defined.
A bit of lady with an undiagnosed bone density situation, whose father had made do-it-yourself arm casts for previous to receiving help from TIAFI.
Explosive remnants of battle proceed to threaten civilians throughout the nation, with a UNICEF report printed this yr estimating that 5 million kids dwell in areas contaminated by landmines and unexploded weapons.
As households return to their properties, many are additionally returning to locations the place unexploded ordnance stays a lethal hazard.
Between December 2024 and February 2026, 1,891 civilian casualties from explosive remnants of battle had been recorded in Syria, together with 698 deaths and 1,193 accidents. Youngsters accounted for 40% of these affected, with 205 killed and 480 injured.
A protracted journey to Homs
Although the plan was all the time to maneuver from Syria to Izmir as soon as the scenario stabilised considerably in Syria, travelling there may be not with out its dangers, and O’Rourke is apprehensive.
The Irish authorities presently advises in opposition to all journey to the nation as there isn’t any Irish embassy there – so consular help could also be restricted if the safety scenario on the bottom shifts rapidly.
“I really feel it’s crucial to go there to help the transfer of our providers, and to see for myself the scenario that my colleagues are describing on the bottom, however I’ll be glad as soon as the journey’s over and we’re there,” she defined.
“We are going to fly into Beirut and journey by automobile from there, first to Homs, after which to Idlib and Damascus, earlier than returning to Homs,” she added.
Ben Hennesy is among the small group of volunteers travelling with O’Rourke. He is pictured right here with kids who visited the TIAFI centre in Izmir beforehand.
She stated that in right this moment’s world the place wars are dominating the information cycle, and persons are fatigued from listening to in regards to the impression of conflicts and disaster, it’s turn out to be tough to boost funds.
“Individuals wish to donate to Gaza proper now, they aren’t occupied with Syria, in order that’s the problem we’re up in opposition to. How do you get folks to care in regards to the kids after the battle, whose lives at the moment are ceaselessly modified,” she mirrored.
At the moment her charity has raised simply over €1,500 of their goal of €25,000 to assist arrange their new physio clinic.
O’Rourke, who initially moved to Izmir for a non-public sector job, however modified course after seeing the struggles dealing with Syrian refugees that had been coming into Turkey, stated that she has everybody in her life “plagued” with donations requests.
“It’s what each penny I’ve has gone into and I’ve turn out to be like a beggar asking everybody I do know to contribute too.
“So I’m hoping that by going there myself, and displaying what the scenario on the bottom is like in Homs and Idlib, I will drum up extra help from again house in Eire,” she stated.
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