Local musicians are pulling together a concert to raise money for the refugees of Syria. 

It’s the brainchild of Tali Williams, a local musician who spent time in Syria in 2006, writing on the plight of refugees. She stayed for a few weeks at the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus.

“At that time the camp was home to refugees fleeing the Iraqi war,” Williams says. “Now because of the brutal war being waged by Assad on his own people, Yarmouk has faced a deluge of displaced Syrian refugees.”

The situation is desperate Williams says. She’s stayed in touch with workers from the Jafra Foundation whom she met in Syria. Jafra funds relief and youth programmes at the Yarmouk camp.

“The people at Jafra are saying things are really bad there. The camp is being shelled on a daily basis and because of the numbers of refugees arriving at the camp they’re fast running out of basic supplies such as food and water. My friend asked me by email if I could help raise some money for them.”

Williams says she felt “desperate” to help. Her band friends were happy to lend their support to the people of Syria. The result, a fundraising show featuring Wellington acts All Seeing Hand, The Body Lyre, Hutt Old Boys and Von Thundersvolt.

Williams says entry is only $10, all of which will go directly to the Jafra Foundation.

Syrian Refugee Fundraiser, Garrett Street, 8pm, September 15.