Speaking at the United Nations on Tuesday, recording artist Shakira called on world leaders to work together in finding a solution to the Syrian humanitarian crisis.
“All of us have a responsibility today and we cannot escape it, not the leaders of the world and not us, as a civil society. We need to come together and we need to demand a just exit to this humanitarian crisis. Because the refugees deserve to have a home.”
The 38-year old Colombian-born star, a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador, pleaded for countries to “rise above flags and borders and numbers and selfishness and racism.”
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The multi-award winning artist and mother of two young boys was particularly moved by the tragic death of Aylan Kurdi, the three year old boy found washed ashore on the Turkish beach last week:
“It’s not an easy problem to resolve but I’m also sure that nations coming together could find an intelligent way, and intelligent solution to this issue, this urgent issue, in the name of Aylan Kurdi and Galip Kurdi, those two boys who lost their lives.”
Shakira also Tuesday called for world leaders to invest in early childhood development, with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at her side.
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