It has been now 13 years of struggle with war and various emergencies like earthquakes, we witnessed the paralyzing effects of fear and limited first-aid knowledge. It is hard to describe but war is as horrible as we know but we felt we can maybe make a difference. The main idea was to build and train a network of both health professionals (doctors, nurses, social workers) and locals living within the most bombed areas to rescue, educate as well as creating our own 1st aid kits. We created and implemented a standardized emergency response protocol to train the volunteers and populations. This protocol aimed to simplify their reactions during attacks, ultimately saving time in critical situations. The faster the response, the more lives could be saved through timely blood loss management.

Every day, even with all the experience under our belts, the big question loomed: could I actually save someone today? But the flip side was always there - what if I get hurt, or worse? How can you help anyone if you're gone? Let's be honest, there were plenty of sleepless nights, filled with both fear and a deep desire to make a difference. But that's the thing - even knowing the risks, we knew we could still make a positive impact, and that's what kept us going. We're grateful for the lives we've touched and we're not done yet. We'll keep pushing forward, doing whatever we can, one day at a time.

Children and teenagers show me the bullet wounds they have on their bodies because of snipers, lower back, thigh, calf... the armed groups make life difficult for the inhabitants of these neighborhoods who face them. Aiming at specific targets but also shooting randomly to maintain fear. It is a means used by terrorists to empty entire neighborhoods, mortars and snipers, gain ground and rob uninhabited areas. The UNCHR tarpaulins stretched between the buildings allow residents to run across the street while limiting the visibility of the opposite shooters. It's a daily life, for you if you have to move around the city and near the lines.

We built 3D hands and arms to try to give a chance to empower kids emotional well-being by boosting confidence, promoting normalcy, and reducing stigma especially at school (making them feel special instead of feeling disabled)  

These 3D limbs can be tailored to a child's growing body, promoting mobility and a sense of normalcy. This innovative approach not only provides physical support but fosters self-confidence and empowers them.

Training communities was an essential process to empower them. Bystanders equipped with these skills can bridge the gap and potentially saving more lives.

In areas under more submersives attacks, training residents in first aid becomes a critical lifeline. This training fosters self-reliance within families, empowering them to treat minor injuries, prevent complications, and take charge in situations where access to medical professionals might be limited. Most importantly, this knowledge can significantly reduce fear and panic, transforming these communities from bystanders into prepared responders during a crisis. Most importantly about the kids, their courage, habitual presence outside and quick action can stabilize victims (or themselves) and buy precious time until overwhelmed medical professionals arrive.

I clung to this photo even though it is very dangerous to take photos in these areas, to take photos at all (too much information for terrorists, especially being a foreigner).

From Achrafieh to Midane, where I went to meet another family, to the first no man's lands leading to Bistane Bacha, there is not much. The carcasses of cars that have been mortared remain on the corners of sidewalks while life seems to have faded somewhat today, Friday, a day of rest when the streets are normally teeming. Life is there, but the fear is palpable. Yesterday, explosive canisters and mortars fell on buildings and sidewalks, there were many wounded, I know that, dead maybe. We pass through a small street that opens onto a large deserted avenue, apart from mounds of debris, waste, etc. From there, it is possible to see all of Bistane Bacha, which the terrorists control. Children play marbles between two destroyed shops and at the entrance to the avenue. Arrived one meter from the entrance, a shot rings out and a bullet passes by, shattering a meter above us. The children duck down and rush to the edge of the wall where we were, trying to see where the shot came from. A sniper is positioned on the other side, facing the avenue and looking for targets. Fortunately, we didn't go any further, a few more steps and this time there would have been little chance of getting out.

It was then that a little girl runs down the avenue, she is there within range but she seems to know what she is doing, she zigzags and passes behind a mound of debris, she is too small to be seen by the shooter, but this image first horrified me, then touched me when I saw her pass without being killed, I tried my best to reach out my arm towards the avenue to take the photo. I wanted to call her, but she would probably have frozen, curious... The cannons start up again, the day had been almost silent, which surprised everyone.

After enjoying a moment with friends in a warm café in the center of Aleppo called "c'est la vie," don't be fooled, I'm talking about a lot of difficulties and dangerous areas, but Aleppo is a city full of life, lives and activity,... life goes on here, at a safe distance from these shooting zones! In short, the cannons start up slowly again, not very far away this time, the impact is strong and close, the sirens are already sounding for the previous shot that fell on us. Something is brewing, it seems, I say it seems, that the main road, the only road that allows you to enter or leave Aleppo, has been closed. We'll see.

Whenever possible, we spent time during hospitalization and post-discharge to support the people healing process. 

Understanding the profound impact of injuries goes beyond treating physical wounds. Patients often grapple with fear, anxiety, and anger. We tried to create a safe space for people to express these emotions. Social workers, chaplains, and psychologists become vital resources throughout their healing journey. Also, providing follow-up care and connecting patients with rehabilitation and support groups. Empowering them and their families on the path to well-being is our ultimate goal. It's this holistic approach that truly makes a difference.

We are not driven by grand ambitions to operate as a global NGO or engage in mass distribution of aid packages, there are hundreds if not thousands in those fields. We extend our support with our own resources and the assistance of concerned individuals, reaching out to those in dire need, especially during challenging times and under difficult circumstances. We tried many experiences, approaches to help, sometimes it worked, sometimes not. While we've undertaken numerous initiatives, as you've witnessed along those pages, we approach our work with humility and compassion, guided by our hearts in priority, this is a modest work but which makes it’s own difference. We are trying the best we can at least.  

 You help and stabilize the wounds but sometimes all you can do is hold their hand and let them know you're there, a silent promise, a presence in the face of the unknown. This is the harsh reality of war and people who try to help during those times.

An initial post from Pierre Le Corf "Where are you? Two days ago I met several families in Khaldié, they live in a park in the center of Aleppo in extremely precarious conditions since they were displaced from their homes because of the war. Before they lived correctly, they had houses, flats, space ... they had a life. They did not want to move from here to stay together. They received a large shell and three mortars, luckily, they never exploded. Yesterday, around 14.30 pm, Al Nosra sent a bomb, they propel gas canisters filled with explosive material they cater to a propeller. The children saw it twirling in the sky, everyone started running. A father asked his daughters to run to hide under their tent. The bomb fell on their tent. The explosion killed them and destroyed everything, all the scattered belongings, burned pieces of flesh immediately covered with flies, a part of the skull and the hair of girls ripped several meters away, burnt blood which sticks to the road. Today I cleaned my shoes to remove human flesh sticking in my soles. No one or very few will write about them, no media, no association. There are tarps from UNICEF, UNHCR, ... but nobody here. Diana was 17yo, Batul 13yo, Hiba 15yo. I am French and I take many risks here to meet and share hope with people, it's not my war, but I'm here, where are all those who spend their time preaching the salvation of the Syrian people, denouncing the humanitarian conditions, talking about the war? I was reading some articles this morning. On 100 articles, 95 were written by people who have never been here and put their hands in deep shit to understand what it means. Yet they have so much to tell ... so I ask to myself this question, where are you?"