Art by a refugee for refugees

Hani Shihada is an artist known for his New York City sidewalk art. His most recent piece, commissioned by World Vision International to draw attention to the plight of refugees around the world for the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants to be held on September 19, 2016 at the UN headquarters in New York, holds special significance because of the bond he shares with those it is trying to help.

“The project meant so much to me because… I am [also] a refugee,” said Hani.

“The project meant so much to me because… I am [also] a refugee,” said Hani. “I was only a child at that time—only 8 years old—when I became a refugee. I can say that I know how these children feel. I was there. I feel their pain,” he added.

The 3-D image Hani created depicts refugee children from Syria pressed against a wire fence in the hope that someone will let them through.

Hani Shihada is an artist known for his New York City sidewalk art.

“This project represented a great opportunity for me to express my feelings and do something so dear to my heart…. To raise awareness, especially about the plight and the suffering of Syria’s children refugees; their struggle for freedom and their need for peace,” he added.

"I can say that I know how these children feel. I was there. I feel their pain,” he added.

The artwork will be wrapped onto a large truck and carry the message “We cannot ignore children forced to flee their homes.” Tell @UN leaders #KidsDeserveBetter

Identical trucks will be deployed in four other cities around the globe the same day: Auckland (New Zealand), Seoul (Korea), Dublin (Ireland) and London (UK).