There is a sequel to one of the most powerful catalyst's for empathy toward child refugees in desperate circumstances. Unlike many follow up films, it is just as good, if not better than it's predecessor.

Two years ago, Save the Children released the "Most Shocking Second a Day" video. Through its use of small chunks of one girls experience going from a comfortable life in Britain to the life of a refugee in a war zone, it struck a resounding chord with audiences around the world and has been watched over 53 million times. Subverting the typical genre conventions of time lapse videos (i.e. light-hearted clips that chart beard growth or human ageing), the film helped raised awareness of the stark reality of life for refugee children, partiiculary in Syria.

Two years on, Save the Children just released a sequel that is just as moving as the first, which is at the top of this piece. 

By placing Lily, an eerily familiar looking girl from middle class London, in the midst of an unfurling civil conflict, the original video helped British viewers imagine themselves in the shoes of Syrian families torn asunder by the lash of war. 

The sequel then, follows where the original left off. The audience finds Lily 11 years old, fleeing the UK in search of sanctuary and safety. In the two years since our introduction to her in the first video, her situation has deteriorated, reminding viewers of just how bad things have become for Syrian child refugees in the real world. Many of the scenes are disturbingly familiar, particularly boat and shore scenes, which serve as a harrowing reminder of the 340 child refugees that have drowned since September 2015. 

Carolyn Miles, president and CEO of Save the Children said "This video captures the terrible experiences of thousands of children every day, many undertaking horrific journeys that no one should ever have to endure. We wanted to bring home the reality of what it's like for those children, to capture the public's attention."

The release of the second video is timely in the UK. The UK government has just reversed a decision and will now accept child refugees that have been seperated from their families in Europe. This is in large part because of the campaign led by Save the Children and supported by global citizens. 

In a global climate that has revealed divisions in the world community's attitudes toward people fleeing disaster, Save the Children’s follow up video is still as relevant and eye-opening as the original.  Watch them both and share the story of Lilly-and all refugee children.