By Noor Wazwaz

Syria may seem a world away but not to Syrians living in the Chicago area. The war in that country has entered its fifth year and the violence has only escalated. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reports the current death total is over 215,000 and 20,000 of them were children.

In this episode of MedillNewsmakers,  we speak with individuals who have played a major role in the Syrian crisis.  Dr. Zaher Sahoul, President of the Syrian American Society (SAMS), is one of the physicians risking his life and traveling abroad to treat thousands of Syrians. We also spoke to Suzanne Akhras-Sahloul, founder and executive director of Syrian Community Network, who has become a mentor of Syrian refugee families in the Chicagoland area.