Children of War: The Sunday Times Christmas Appeal

4 February - 4 March 2011

Free entry

Open to the public Mon-Fri 9am-6pm

Thousands of children have been disfigured by war and in late November and through December 2010, The Sunday Times invited their readers to donate money to help children like Ali. The Sunday Times 'Children of War' Christmas Appeal aimed to raise money for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) who provide essential medical services in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza and elsewhere.

Worldwide, the number of children whose lives are touched or shaped by war is simply staggering; the UN estimates 20 million have been forced to flee their homes and are either internally displaced or refugees in neighbouring countries. More than 2 million children have died as a result of armed conflict over the past decade and at least 6 million have been permanently disabled or seriously injured. In Iraq alone, more than 8,000 children have suffered severe and lasting injuries. MSF tries to reach as many as possible. Its surgical project in Amman, Jordan, provides top-flight medical care, rehabilitation, education and counselling, to frontline emergency medical units.

The appeal was launched in The Sunday Times magazine (28 November 2010) by an article written by Margarette Driscoll. The photographers for the appeal and whose pictures are featured in this exhibition are Steve Bent and Dwayne Senior. The Sunday Times 2010 appeal follows the success of the newspaper's appeal for children in Iraq in 2009. Hala Jaber featured the story of Shams Kareem, who was blinded as a baby by a car bomb.

90% of all funds donated are directed to MSF and 10% of the net proceeds are passed on to The Royal Society of Medicine. The Society is seeking to provide electronic links between our Library and doctors in Iraq and other countries - as well as directly support the provision of information to MSF representatives in the field and in London.

If you wish to make a donation to support The Sunday Times Children of War Appeal please visit: www.msf.org.uk/sundaytimes or phone 0800 088 7480.