When Photos Speak Louder Than Words | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

When Photos Speak Louder Than Words

Omran Daqneesh caught the world's attention, but millions not photographed still suffer.

171
When Photos Speak Louder Than Words
ibtimes

Last week, a photo of a small boy went viral.

His name is Omran Daqneesh, a 5-year-old Syrian boy who caught the world’s attention in a video of him wiping dried blood and dust from his face after he was pulled out of the debris from his destroyed home in Aleppo that was hit by an airstrike.

According to The New York Times, the widespread interest in Omran surprised the doctors who treated him, the photographer who shot the video and many Syrians who wondered whether the world had only just discovered how children have suffered every day in a war that has raged for more than five years.

This past weekend, Omran’s 10-year-old brother, Ali, died of wounds he suffered during the same attack, medical workers said. Ali’s death, which did not draw the same instant social media outpouring as Omran’s suffering, only underscored how many Syrian children are dying under the radar of the wider world.

There are some images that strike a nerve for those who view them; some reasons are unknown and some are obvious. Here are some other pictures of children taken this past week at hospitals in the same region:


Ahmad Tadifi, 2

Arriving at the same hospital where Omran was treated, this boy underwent surgery for serious injuries to his head, groin and right arm and leg. He later on died from his injuries.


Rouwaida Hanoun, 5

Rouwaida and her 7-month-old sister Rana were both treated at the same hospital. Both suffered shrapnel wounds that required care, and were released later on.


An unidentified boy

This boy was treated and released. No one came to claim him. He was never identified. The medical workers that were reached did not remember the boy, which is not unusual in the overwhelmed hospitals.


These are just a few pictures of many that have circulated between photographers and doctors in Aleppo to other journalists worldwide.

For those that do not enjoy reading, let these pictures speak to you. Let them tell you stories of pain and suffering.

Know that this is their reality; Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed because of this war, and there are even more victims who cannot be photographed because their bodies reside under the debris of what once was their home.


Four children, no picture

A barrel bomb landed on a house in the Jalloum quarter of Aleppo’s old city, destroying the house and killing seven members of one family — including all four children. Pictured below, is the father trying to dig up his children from the rubble.


The day after Omran's picture went viral, journalists from around the world were demanding for more information about him and his family. But the doctors had moved on.

They were handling yet another influx from a bombing that morning, later posting new images. A boy lay on the floor, his legs missing. A woman in black put her hand to her mouth in anguish.

Another boy lay on a gurney, soaked in blood, as a clinician worked on him. A few minutes later it was reported that the boy had died. His name was Ibrahim Hadiri, and there was a new photograph of his face, eyes closed. It is not likely to go viral.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
students
Sophia Palmerine

Dear High School Friend Group,

My sweet angels, where would I be without you guys. We all grew up together because we either met in middle school or high school and watched each other grow up and get "old." We got to go to prom together and then graduate together. Then watched each other as we continued our lives in college, joining sororities and meeting people who will impact our lives forever. It all has happened so fast.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

College In Gifs

Because we are all sad Jim Halpert

428
head on desk
Wise GEEK

Oh college, we can’t live with you, but we can’t live without you. It’s a love/hate relationship, really. College is an experience that no one can ever prepare you for, and maybe that’s a good thing. You never really expect any of the things that college encompasses until you are there. College is fun, but don’t have too much fun. C’s get degrees, but they don’t get you into graduate school.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

The "Gossip Girl" series may be over, but Blair Waldorf's iconic character lives in our hearts forever. Blair was the queen of the Upper East Side, and a character you either loved or hated. She taught us everything we needed to know about life, love and of course, how to score a Chuck Bass. So the next time you feel a bit lost and are in need of guidance, look no further than to the Queen B herself.

As I spend my Sunday avoiding my homework and other adult responsibilities, I realized that I've watched this series over and over about a million times. Sadly, there isn't a Blair quote I don't know, so I came up with a list of a few favorites. You know you love her...xoxo

Keep Reading...Show less
class
Odyssey

College is an endless cycle of crappy, sleepless nights, tedious, boring lectures, and hours of never-ending piles of homework.

Keep Reading...Show less
two women enjoying confetti

Summer: a time (usually) free from school work and a time to relax with your friends and family. Maybe you go on a vacation or maybe you work all summer, but the time off really does help. When you're in college you become super close with so many people it's hard to think that you won't see many of them for three months. But, then you get that text saying, "Hey, clear your schedule next weekend, I'm coming up" and you begin to flip out. Here are the emotions you go through as your best friend makes her trip to your house.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments