British musician Yusuf Islam, previously known as Cat Stevens, released a single titled He Was Alone in support of Syrian refugees.

The single, released on 1 June, is part of the singer’s campaign on Small Kindness, a website he founded in 2000 in response to the humanitarian disaster he witnessed unfolding in the Balkans.

Small Kindness provides aid to orphans, families, widows, the elderly, and students. It also supported Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami, and currently directs its attention to the Syrian refugee crisis.

“It was difficult to stand by just watching this tragedy without trying to do something," Islam writes in a statement on the Small Kindness website.

"I simply decided to help humanise the narrative and lend my voice to the call for keeping hearts and doors open to every refugee, especially youngsters, who have lost what future they might have once hoped for."

Islam hopes the circulation of the video will spread awareness of the cause, with the website acting as a platform for donations that will reach their partners Save The Children for their Child Refugee Crisis and Penny Appeal UK for their #YouAreNotAlone Campaign.

Small Kindness also features the stories of several children refugees.

Islam’s initiative is supported by a number of stars, including Emma Thompson, Sean Penn, Sheryl Crow, Ronan Keating and Blondie.

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