• Emirati humanitarian Muna Harib in Jordan at the Zaatari Camp. Courtesy Breathing Numbers
    Emirati humanitarian Muna Harib in Jordan at the Zaatari Camp. Courtesy Breathing Numbers
  • Disturbed by the media’s desensitised approach to covering war, Al Muhairi first decided to visit the Zaatari camp with the intention of documenting victims’ stories, which are often concealed behind the staggering statistics of casualties. Courtesy Breathing Numbers
    Disturbed by the media’s desensitised approach to covering war, Al Muhairi first decided to visit the Zaatari camp with the intention of documenting victims’ stories, which are often concealed behind the staggering statistics of casualties. Courtesy Breathing Numbers
  • As volunteer numbers grew, a campaign was begun to provide blankets and heaters before the onset of winter last year. Her team of 50 volunteers, divided between Jordan and the UAE, distributed 3,000 items of winter clothing for children, 1,200 blankets and about 200 heaters among the refugees. Courtesy Breathing Numbers
    As volunteer numbers grew, a campaign was begun to provide blankets and heaters before the onset of winter last year. Her team of 50 volunteers, divided between Jordan and the UAE, distributed 3,000 items of winter clothing for children, 1,200 blankets and about 200 heaters among the refugees. Courtesy Breathing Numbers
  • Their biggest ongoing project is delivering caravans – mobile homes to replace the camp’s tents. Each caravan cost Dh8,625 and are sourced from Jordanian suppliers. Al Muhairi collected funds from family and friends, and 265 caravans were delivered to the camp in December and January, set up with the assistance of the Red Crescent. They plan on delivering another 50 caravans this month. The one-room unit can house five members and is wired for electricity. Courtesy Breathing Numbers
    Their biggest ongoing project is delivering caravans – mobile homes to replace the camp’s tents. Each caravan cost Dh8,625 and are sourced from Jordanian suppliers. Al Muhairi collected funds from family and friends, and 265 caravans were delivered to the camp in December and January, set up with the assistance of the Red Crescent. They plan on delivering another 50 caravans this month. The one-room unit can house five members and is wired for electricity. Courtesy Breathing Numbers
  • “The documentary expanded into helping a few medical cases, with the support of my family and friends. The first six months I was working along with Mahmoud. We made necklaces – Breathing Numbers Peace Necklaces – to raise funds and cover the expenses,” says Al Muhairi, who now spends every other weekend in Jordan. Courtesy Breathing Numbers
    “The documentary expanded into helping a few medical cases, with the support of my family and friends. The first six months I was working along with Mahmoud. We made necklaces – Breathing Numbers Peace Necklaces – to raise funds and cover the expenses,” says Al Muhairi, who now spends every other weekend in Jordan. Courtesy Breathing Numbers
  • Al Muhairi says she wants to expand the initiative to other conflict zones around the world. “It is not about the mass movement and doing big campaigns,” she says. “We want to help each individual who needs us. “At the same time we want to continue to tell their stories to motivate others to be hands-on in assistance.” Christopher Pike / The National
    Al Muhairi says she wants to expand the initiative to other conflict zones around the world. “It is not about the mass movement and doing big campaigns,” she says. “We want to help each individual who needs us. “At the same time we want to continue to tell their stories to motivate others to be hands-on in assistance.” Christopher Pike / The National

The National

In Pictures: Emirates-based Breathing Numbers charity

Olga Camacho

April 12, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

We look at Breathing Numbers, a project that documents the plight of Syrians in the Zaatari refugee camp and raises funds to help them.

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