William tells aid workers in Syria they’re ‘heroes’ for tackling virus
THE DUKE of Cambridge has said he is “totally overwhelmed by the scale of the burden” faced by the “incredible heroes” who are helping tackle the pandemic in wartorn countries.
William spoke with three Syrian aid workers, supported by the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Coronavirus Appeal, about how donations from Britain are being used to help millions of vulnerable people.
The DEC’s appeal was launched last July, and aims to support health workers and improve the living conditions of refugees in regions including Yemen, Syria, Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan.
More than £38 million has been raised so far, of which £10 million was matched by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through UK Aid Match.
Speaking with humanitarian workers Fadi Hallisso, Kawther Mohamad Ali, and Shahinaz Muamar via video call on Thursday, William said he was “amazed” by the money raised to date, but acknowledged it is “nowhere near what you need”.
He said: “As a fundraising initiative goes, that’s a decent amount. I know it’s nowhere near what you need, but £38 million in a coronavirus pandemic year is quite impressive.”
After hearing the workers’ stories, William said: “You are all incredible heroes.
“I’m totally overwhelmed by the scale of the burden you guys face – the scale and challenge, but also the enormity of the dedication you have.”
Before introducing the aid workers to William, DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said he was calling from “sunny West Bromwich just north of Birmingham”, to which William – an Aston Villa fan – joked: “I know it well.”
Mr Saeed told the Duke the countries the DEC supports are facing a “potential catastrophe” this year, with Syria entering its 11th year of fighting, and “famine looming in places like Yemen in South Sudan”.
He said without a tracking system to record coronavirus infections and deaths in the regions, official figures do not reflect the true scale of fatalities.