Radio Veronica DJ Frank van der Lende recently returned from a trip to Lebanon undertaken in support of War Child, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children affected by conflict. The visit, which included stops in Tripoli, Beirut, Sidon and the Bekaa Valley, was made in the lead-up to the station’s (S)Top 520 fundraising initiative.
Van der Lende announced his return and the purpose of the journey during his morning show on . He traveled with Ernst Suur, the director of War Child Netherlands, and the pair kept the trip under wraps for security reasons until recently. The (S)Top 520 is a list of songs curated by listeners and played on Radio Veronica, with the goal of raising awareness and funds for the approximately 520 million children globally growing up amidst the consequences of war.
“I’ve had many special conversations with children and their parents,” Van der Lende shared with his listeners, according to RTL Boulevard. “They keep going, they have to, and they are supported by the help of War Child. As a father of young children, that really touches me. It motivates me even more to get as many listeners as possible to submit songs for the (S)Top 520.”
The trip wasn’t simply a photo opportunity. Van der Lende and Suur visited War Child projects on the ground, observing the organization’s work firsthand and speaking with children, parents, and aid workers. The experiences will be shared with listeners through reports broadcast during the (S)Top 520 week, which begins on .
War Child’s approach, as detailed on their website, centers around evidence-based interventions designed to be scalable and adaptable to different conflict zones. The organization focuses on providing education, mental health care, protection, and advocacy for children impacted by war. They aim to address the long-term effects of conflict, recognizing that simply providing immediate aid isn’t enough.
The organization’s CEO, Ramin Shahzamani, emphasizes the importance of a focused approach, stating that War Child aims to “add value in one key area” rather than attempting to address every need in every conflict zone. This strategy allows for rigorous testing and refinement of interventions, ensuring maximum impact. The interventions are designed to be low-cost and easily adopted by other humanitarian agencies, fostering collaboration and expanding reach.
War Child’s work extends to 12 countries, with a focus on getting children back on track through award-winning education programs, ensuring their safety through child protection initiatives, and addressing the psychological scars of war with mental health care. They also empower communities to advocate for their needs on a global scale.
The (S)Top 520 initiative builds on this foundation by leveraging the power of music to raise awareness and generate support. By engaging listeners in the song selection process, Radio Veronica and War Child are creating a platform for collective action and demonstrating the enduring power of music to connect people and inspire change.
The timing of this initiative is particularly poignant, given the scale of the global crisis facing children in conflict. With an estimated 230 million children currently living in active war zones, the need for organizations like War Child has never been greater. Van der Lende’s firsthand experience in Lebanon underscores the urgency of the situation and the importance of providing support to those affected by war.
The collaboration between Radio Veronica and War Child represents a strategic partnership between a prominent media outlet and a leading humanitarian organization. By combining their respective strengths, they are amplifying their message and reaching a wider audience. The (S)Top 520 is more than just a music countdown; it’s a call to action, a reminder of the human cost of conflict, and a testament to the resilience of children in the face of adversity.
Listeners can continue to submit song requests for the (S)Top 520 until the week of , contributing directly to a campaign that aims to make a tangible difference in the lives of children affected by war. The reports from Van der Lende’s journey will undoubtedly add a powerful and personal dimension to the broadcast, further galvanizing support for War Child’s vital work.
