When production first began on Red Lines in 2011, we never imagined that the story would still be so relevant a decade later. Despite repeated condemnation from world leaders, the Assad Regime continues to torture, terrorize and murder innocent civilians with impunity while the world at-large turns a blind eye.
But in the face of unfathomable cruelty and human suffering, some have upheld the resolve to support the Syrian people’s calls for freedom and civility in their homeland. It is because of the work of advocacy and humanitarian organizations like the Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF) that the Syrian people are able to receive desperately needed lifesaving aid and essential services. Through SETF’s on-the-ground initiatives, tireless advocating on Capitol Hill and presentation of awareness programs that they are able to continue fighting on behalf of the Syrian people.
Spark Media’s Red Lines, directed by award-winning filmmaker Andrea Kalin, follows the early days of SETF’s efforts and provides cinematic boots on the ground during the beginnings of the Syrian Revolution. This harrowing film brings into full focus the evils faced by Syrian civilians on a daily basis and provides much needed context to one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century.
Spark Media has reunited with the Syrian Emergency Task Force to continue the humanitarian and awareness-building work on behalf of the Syrian people. Together, we are hosting this screening of the documentary and a live virtual program in the same week as the anniversary of the chemical weapons attack in Ghouta, Syria.
Be sure to join us on August 26th at 1:00pm EDT for a live virtual program to discuss the current state of the crisis in Syria and how the international community – and individuals – can help respond to help bring an end to this Never Again moment in human history. For more information, click on the Q&A section on this webpage.
To support the humanitarian and advocacy work of SETF and Spark Media, please consider making a donation when you register. Every dollar makes a difference, and any support is greatly appreciated.
SETF Humanitarian Aid
In 2011, SETF was a fledgling organization just beginning aid operations in Syria. In the years since they have expanded both the team and the services provided in Syria. Some of SETF's programs include:
Tomorrow's Dawn Women's Center: Offers vocational courses, equipment, and micro-loans women can use to build their own businesses to be economically self-sufficient and become key drivers of the local economy.
Wisdom House: The Wisdom house is a woman-run kindergarten that serves internally displaced orphans, providing them a nurturing education. Since 2016 the Wisdom House has been displaced 4 times but still continues to provide an equal level of education to over 130 students a year.
Voice of Rukban: Rukban is a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in the desert in Syria, it is home to 12,000 civilians (nearly 1/2 of whom are children) who have no where else to go, having fled other regions of Syria controlled by the Syrian regime. The regime blocks aid deliveries and thus the people of Rukban starve without food, healthcare, or sewage. SETF is the only organization providing food, medicine, and relief to those suffering in Rukban.
Victim's Fund: SETF supports survivors of torture in Assad regime detention facilities, witnesses, and their families to help rebuild and sustain their lives. We focus much of our support on the families of victims and witnesses who are key in bringing legal cases against Assad regime war criminals.
Rehab Center: SETF's newest project, the Rehab Center, provides care and refuge to IDPs who have been granted permission by the Turkish government to enter Turkey to pursue life saving treatment given their exceptionally rare illnesses and situations.