Terry Sarten: Syrian sister city would give us a chance to shed light in a dark place

SISTERLY ACT: Should Whanganui help out a city in real need?

THERE has been much talk around the Whanganui District Council table and in the community about the value of having Whanganui linked with a twin city.

This concept is usually tagged to the notion of cultural, tourism, and economic advantage for both cities.

Twin cities are usually similar in profile, sited in countries that are relatively wealthy with an equal exchange of civil discourse.

I would like to propose that Whanganui instead form a partnership with a place that really needs all the support we can muster.

Jisr al-Shugur is a city of 44,322 on the banks of the Orontes River in the Idih Governance of northwest Syria.

It is much the same size as Whanganui. Also spelt as Jisr ash-Shugur, it has a river, was an historic trading centre and has been continuously inhabited for more than 10,000 years. It is also a place we hear little about, despite it being an active war zone with various factions fighting to control the city. To give this perspective, Aleppo, which has often been in the news, is 104km to the east of Jisr al-Shugur.

The lives of the people of Jisr al-Shugur are beyond imagination for us as we sit by the Whanganui River watching the water while sipping a latte. A news story dated 27/12/2017 reports that Russian planes have attacked military sites in the area. This was seen as retribution for missiles fired by Jihadist forces. The report counts 10 airstrikes with more to come.

History has not been kind to the city. In 1980, following protests against the Syrian regime, the citizens of Jisr al-Shugur marched on the government building. They set fire to it and the police withdrew. Syrian troops then destroyed homes, shops and community facilities killing dozens, arresting and then executing some 200 people.

Much of the city is wrecked. Fighting has destroyed key infrastructure. In 2015 a battle was fought in and around the town's hospital, leaving it battered and unsafe.

Whanganui should declare Jisr al-Shugur a sister city and take a real interest in what is happening there.

This would provide perspective on the things we regard as our problems and give us cause to think how we can help another city rebuild.

We have considerable expertise and it may be that offering to exchange this with the citizens of the war-torn Syrian city will bring its own rewards.

We have architects, engineers, town planners, project managers, health expertise, electricians, plumbers, builders, educationalists, data analysts and understand the benefits of working together.

We could support Jisr al-Shugur from here by providing expertise as they rebuild their city and their lives. All this is possible without going there.

It would also mean Whanganui ratepayers would see their rates going towards something worthwhile rather than funding junkets to fun places which cynics might feel has been the usual motivation for sister city arrangements of the past. The enthusiasm for such trips might suddenly wane if the destination is a war zone.

So, Mayor Hamish, please let me know if this idea is of interest to the WDC and we can talk it over.

■Terry Sarten (aka Tel) is a writer, musician and social worker - feedback: tgs@inspire.net.nz