Alan Kurdi's father says world has turned its back on Syria
Alan Kurdi's father has said the attention paid to his family had achieved nothing. (AAP) (Fergal Keane/AP-DHA)
The father of the little boy pictured lifeless on a Turkey beach, a year ago today, has accused the world of turning its back on Syria and the people who continue to die there.
Abdullah Kurdi lost his wife and two sons when the boat carrying them and 12 other refugees sank in rough conditions. The picture of his son, Alan, washed up, face down on a beach in Turkey shocked the world into paying attention to and taking action for the people of Syria.
Mr Kurdi has pleaded with the world community to not forget about Syria, The Telegraph UK reports.
He said the attention paid to his family – and in particular, the image of Alan – had achieved nothing.
“The politicians said after the deaths in my family: Never again!” Mr Kurdi, a Syrian Kurd from the town of Kobane, said.
“Everyone claimed they wanted to do something because of the photo that touched them so much. But what is happening now? People are still dying and nobody is doing anything about it.”
Earlier today, Australia’s resettlement processes were criticised by Amnesty International and Oxfam representatives.
Spokespeople for both organisations questioned why nothing was being done to speed up processes and making a stronger commitment to addressing “the global problem”.
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