Cry for the Syrian child who saw a gun, not a camera

A poignant photograph of a Syrian child reflects the real intensity of the crisis in Syria, writes Rym Ghazal

It is said that when you want to see the purest form of feelings, devoid of politics, expectations and social interference, look through the eyes of a child. Jamal Nasrallah / EPA

The photo of the four-year-old Syrian refugee girl Hudea went viral.

There are thousands and thousands of photos of refugees, to the point that the world has stopped reacting to them. The world is fatigued with images of suffering from the Arab world.

But this one turned out to be different.

It was only later, as the photographer was looking at the image, that he realised that the little girl had actually put up her arms, bitten her lip and looked with fear at the camera.

She thought that the camera lens was a weapon.

The image was taken at the Atmeh refugee camp in Syria in December, but it is making the rounds on social media only now. Many people are expressing their sadness and anger at a photo that captures what war does to a child. Hudea, like many other refugee children, must have seen so many weapons and what they do. So many that they left her terrified of anything that remotely looks like a gun.

Anyone who had ever covered a war zone or an area of conflict, would know that there will be fright and anxiety at any sudden noise, especially in children.

It is said that when you want to see the purest form of feelings, devoid of politics, expectations and social interference, look through the eyes of a child.

So we see this photo and feel pain for the child. What can we do?

There is nothing more frustrating than being bombarded with sad news and images and being unable to help the victims, whatever their plight and wherever it may be.

Humanitarian charities and organisations try to provide everything they can, be it physical or mental support, but of course they are struggling.

The UN has appealed for $8.4bn (Dh30.8bn) to fund its Syria operations this year: $2.9bn to be used inside Syria and $5.5bn in neighbouring countries flooded with refugees. Donors at an international aid conference in Kuwait pledged $3.8bn on Tuesday.

Such amazing generosity, and still, it doesn’t come close to what is needed to help the refugees.

With over 3bn people using the internet, there has to be a way to channel the compassion evoked by photos such as of Hudea. Clicking “like” on photos and sharing them on social media doesn’t end up really helping the victims under discussion unless there is fund raising too and people contribute.

We need special smartphone applications that we can all use to help others.

I have seen the great positive impact of art and reading therapies on both children and adult refugees.

When I volunteered last summer to work with a group of refugee children, to entertain them and let them be children for a few moments, I realised how profound a simple drawing can be.

I ended up drawing on their arms whatever they requested.

Most wanted hearts, plenty of hearts, and asked for “mama” to be added next to the hearts. Most have lost their fathers.

Most of them also wanted cats, rainbows, flowers and little houses with plenty of trees.

Left to draw on their own, some drew red and black circles on their arms, others drew what looked like rockets, tanks or guns.

“Those are bullet holes,”one 9-year- old told me, pointing to the big spots he had drawn.

A younger child came over and diligently added red lines, which looked almost too much like dripping blood. Without comment, the little one turned to me and said: “Auntie. Can you draw me another flower here?” pointing to the only free spot left on his arm. Both his arms were covered with awkwardly drawn flowers.

On Twitter: @Arabianmau