thequestforit.com
On a recent Saturday evening West Chelsea’s Gana Art Gallery hosted a most powerful documentary on the plight of children in Iraq. Entitled Iraq The Lost Generation, the event is to benefit the non-profit Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders. Journalist Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s The Lost Generation, currently being screened across the country from New York to San Francisco, is a riveting look at the results of war on the citizens of Iraq and in particular its children. Many casualties are children who are victims of bombings, instances with machetes and the like. The event which was sponsored by Zyr Vodka, Jo Malone, and Vai Restaurant was hosted by Justin Parks, Founder of the SCOTT PARKS ORGANIZATION, who came across the film this past summer and was drawn to share the film with others “In August I attended a screening at the New School. I was shocked and deeply saddened by the Iraqi refugee medial crisis, in particular the children that have been injured in the bombings that have to wait for reconstructive treatments. I felt compelled to sponsor a benefit screening so we could send funds to accelerate the heroic efforts of MSF.”
The Film
Beginning with the stories of Iraqi refugees *** who migrated to Syria and Jordan, Ms. Obaid Chinoy provides a first-hand account of their struggles. Ms. Obaid-Chinoy speaks first with adults–mostly middle class families whose head of households are much like those in the US. One man owns a mobile phone store, another a father of five owns several barber shops, and yet another holds a government position working with the US and the British as a translator. In each instance there is a current inability to work as they are now all refugees in new lands.
The erosion of Iraq’s medical system is a problem for citizens both young and old, and as the film progresses to a specific focus on The Medicins Sans Frotnieres/Doctors Without Borders organization, one can see the true crisis of the children. Front and center, The Medicins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders is shown aiding many children who have been separated from their parents and are now in treatment for burns, severe dismembering, body injuries, etc. Often the work needed for repair is so extensive that several operations are needed before a child is restored to normal, if ever.
The film’s shocking yet educational look at life outside of the United State’s seemingly ivy covered walls is of a magnitude that cannot be ignored. Ms. Obaid-Chinoy’s dedication and vision on this topic is unparalleled, and worthy of not only praise, but of all of our attention. For more information please visit MSF.org
***-nearly one and a half million refugees have been taken in by Syria and Jordan.