About the Salon Series

MEI Salon is a series of special events conducted in a casual relaxed setting aimed at making Middle Eastern culture more accessible to everyone. We strip away the academic jargon, and keep things light-hearted and interactive with topics that range from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Abstract:

The Syrian civil war, which began over a decade ago, created a massive humanitarian crisis which displaced more than five million people, with many escaping into neighbouring countries.

Turkey harbours the most Syrian refugees, at three million, while Jordan and Lebanon have taken in over a million each, respectively.

Their plight has attracted the attention of many humanitarian agencies around the world, including in Singapore, where Love Aid Singapore has played an active role for the last eight years or so.

Love Aid Singapore humanitarian work is mainly focused on the educational needs of poor and orphaned kids. To this end, Love Aid Singapore funds their education to the tune of US$150 per year per child, with the programme benefitting more than 100 orphaned children so far.

In addition to helping children, Love Aid Singapore also operates an annual Ramadan humanitarian drive, which provides food and other items of need, as well as a winter programme, which equips refugees with fuel, heaters, and clothes to help them endure the conditions.

To highlight the efforts of Love Aid Singapore, the Middle East Institute hosted Mr Gilbert Goh, over a talk cum mini photo exhibition, which was conducted both in person and online via Zoom, on 22 Aug 2023, 3pm to 4pm.

Photo source: Gilbert Goh

Watch the full talk here:

Listen to the full event here: