Photoblog: In solidarity with Karim, the Syrian baby who lost his eye

Karim was first wounded in late October – when he was just 40 days old – after artillery shells struck a market in Hammouria in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta. His mother died in the attack.

Over a week later, a shrapnel tore through the roof of his house and the baby was picked up by rescue workers from underneath the rubble.

Karim sustained injuries to his skull and suffered severe tissue tearing, affecting his eye socket and permanently scarring his face.

Karim's unemployed father is struggling to care for the now three-year-old baby and raise his other children.

He tells The New Arab that Karim needs specialist treatments in neurology, ophthalmology and cosmetic surgery that can only be supplied outside the besieged town.

Heartbreaking photographs of the baby have been widely shared online by activists to highlight the desperate situation of many like Karim trapped inside Eastern Ghouta.

Residents of the besieged town have joined the viral social media campaign, which has seen users taking pictures of themselves covering one eye and sharing them online using the hashtag #SolidarityWithKarim.

The campaign is the latest effort to bring attention to the Syrian regime's siege of Eastern Ghouta, which began five years ago.

Heartbreaking photographs of Karim were widely shared online by activists [Qusay Noor]

Karim needs specialist treatments in neurology, ophthalmology and cosmetic surgery [Qusay Noor]

Karim lost his mother in regime shelling when he was just 40 -days-old [Qusay Noor]

Karim and his siblings are looked after by their unemployed father [Qusay Noor]

Residents of the besieged town have joined the viral social media campaign in support of Karim [Qusay Noor]

Qusay Noor is a journalist and photographer from Eastern Ghouta in Syria. Follow him on Twitter: @Qusay_Noor_