What Can You Do Right Now to Help the People of Syria
Just this week, people in Syria were gassed and then bombed . After years of horror , pictures of suffering children even got through to our president with a cold heart . If you feel the same way, here are a few things you can do to help.
Look for helpers (and give them money to keep working)
Mr. Rogers told us that there are always helpers in any disaster, and Syria is no exception. The famous White Helmets are a volunteer search and rescue team, and you can donate to them here . Other influential groups helping in this crisis include US Islamic Relief , Médecins Sans Frontières (also known by their French acronym, MSF), the Syrian American Medical Society , the World Food Program, and the International Rescue Committee .
When Syrians flee, they need help finding a new home and support along the way. Many organizations support refugees: start with Global Giving Syrian Refugee Fund, Karama Foundation , Sunrise USA , Project Amal ou Salam (meaning “hope and peace”), Hand in Hand for Syria or Medical Teams International .
Volunteer near the house
You can also help Syrian refugees at home. If you live in a country with many refugees, you can register for the Welcome to Refugees program to volunteer your spare Airbnb-style bedroom. At the moment, he is active mainly in European countries, as well as in Australia and Canada. In the US, try this tool to find local organizations that help refugees in your area. They may need volunteers to donate household items, help our new neighbors learn English, or just host lunch to give them a warm welcome.
Of course, you can do the same yourself – and since our political situation means that Syrian refugees are rare, provide this hospitality wherever needed. A little more compassion will make the world a better place.
Overloaded? Take a deep breath, pick up a stamp, and write a postcard to a child in a refugee camp. Any refugee really works in 45 countries, so there is no guarantee of where he will end up, but he will go to those who need him. As the website explains, “Everyone should know that others think well of them and wish them a better future.”