After seeing the heartache in Syria, DJ Calvin James Sweeney took it upon himself to head over to the war-torn state to help civilians in a medical capacity, after realising that medical aid wasn’t getting into the country.
So in February of this year, Calvin headed out to volunteer with Heyva Sor A Kurd's emergency response team, and set up the Syria’s Vibes campaign to raise money for them and other services.
Based in Qamishlo in the north east, Calvin and his team service an area within an 80k radius, responding to explosions, battles, air-strikes and general civil emergencies. Here he talks to MummyPages about what life is like over there for families:
1. What is the mood like over there?
"Generally the mood of the city is upbeat, people go about their lives, family planning, saving for university, weddings, working - normal stuff. There's still the war in the back of everyone's mind, and regular attacks keep people on their toes and remind them where they really are. In the six months I was there, there was a three day battle against the Assad regime which killed over 50 people, six or seven car bombs, two suicide gunner/bomber sprees and, most recently, a double truck bombing that killed 60 people and wounded almost 200. After these attacks people tend to pick up the pieces and move on as best they can."
2. What are the conditions like in refugee camps?
"I only visited the Newroz refugee camp in Derik City where there are 3000 Yazidis currently residing. The community spirit among the Yazidis is very healthy and everyone tries to help each other. They've been there for over two years now so, naturally, they aren't that happy about living in tents in these circumstances. They feel let down by the UN and the Iraqi Kurdish government and want to go back home to Sinjar in northern Iraq."
3. What kind of casualties are you dealing with on a daily basis?
"Well, it depends where you are. If you are on a front-line operation casualties tend to be wounded from explosions, snipers, severe dehydration etc. In the cities its generally suicide attacks or car bombs you're dealing with so there you see severe trauma and horrific injuries."
4. What do you think needs to be done by both the people and Governments?
"Currently there is a trade embargo in Rojava, Northern Syria so the borders with Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkey are closed, effectively shutting Rojava off from the rest of the world. Aid, basic supplies and skilled staff can't get into the region which leaves hospitals, refugee camps and other services in a vulnerable position. The world super powers need to be dropping aid and not bombs. The different Kurdish governments need to forego the politics and unite for all Kurds who need help.
"People need to understand that refugees from here are genuinely trying to reach Europe to be safe, and need all the help and compassion that we can humanly give them."
Calvin spent six months in the war-torn country, and in that time, he says that the one thing that "gets [him] down" is that a wounded child will arrive at the hospital with their hair plaited or tied up with ribbons, their nails painted, their teeth brushed - just like they were preparing for a day like any other.
"Fast forward five hours, something happens and they're in a hospital alone, injured, surrounded by strangers where everyone is too busy to hold their hand and tell them they will be ok. That or they're dead wrapped up in a blanket. It's happening too much and it needs to stop."
On Friday, 7th October 2017, Calvin and SCOOP Foundation will host Syrias Vibes with the aim of raising money for those in Syria.
The not-for-profit organisation aims to draw on the universally shared passion for music, and Syrias Vibe launch gig will take place in The Grand Social.
Tickets are priced at just €10 and can be purchased on the door or online at https://www.picatic.com/syriasvibes.
