It can be difficult to watch behind the headlines seeing thousands of innocent people being caught in the crossfires of the Syrian Civil War. But you can certainly help wherever you are in the world by donating to emergency and charity groups currently working in Syria.
It is truly heartbreaking, knowing that in the comforts of one's home, while everyone is feasting over Thanksgiving and preparing for Christmas, children and families are now caught in Syria barely surviving with no food, water, and shelter. The last-standing hospital in East Aleppo has also been torn down last month.
With the war finding no end for four years now, the death toll is yet to be determined. But a humanitarian group says 13.5 million people are now in high need of assistance, with 4.8 million Syrians now of refugee status, and 3 million children now displaced without homes and families to go back to.
Here are charity and non-governmental organizations currently accepting donations for Syria:
Karam Foundation
Karam Foundation manages both emergency and long-term support projects for Syria. Its long-term project is focused on supporting child refugees with their education and health needs, and in assisting with finding adopting families for them. While donations are welcome, the foundation also sells local products with proceeds going to both projects.
Donate here.
Médecins Sans Frontières/ Doctors Without Borders
MSF is comprised of a group of volunteer doctors and health practitioners servicing conflict and vulnerable areas all around the world. It has initially set up eight hospitals in the city of Aleppo, but some have been torn down at the height of the siege. Donations go to food and medical supplies, and in sustaining ground facilities and operations.
Donate here.
Red Cross
Red Cross works with its worldwide affiliates in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, the US, and Oceania. Donations are brought towards purchasing and distributing food, shelter, water and medical care.
Donate here.
Save the Children
Save the Children provides not only food, baby kits, and shelter, but also learning tools and playing kits so children of war 'can be kids again'. The organization works not only in Syria, but also in conflict areas in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.
Donate here.
Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS)
SAMS is composed of a group of volunteer doctors and medical practitioners working on the ground to provide emergency and medical care. Aside from Syria, SAMS also operates in the war-stricken areas of Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. Donations go to sustaining the volunteers' ground operations, as well as in providing first aid and medical training to locals in service areas.
Donate here.
White Helmets
Also known as the Syria Civil Defense, White Helmets volunteers are characterized by their white hard hats. They work on the ground rescuing people caught in the crossfires, going through rubbles looking for survivors, and bringing survivors back to safe camp. Donations help these volunteers with their operations, provide assistance for the injured, and for families of those killed while in service.
Donate here.
