When the lifeless body of three-year-old Alan Kurdi washed up on a Turkish beach in 2015, social media erupted. The child's family had been trying to escape Syria by packing into an inflatable boat to reach Canada, and Kurdi's image roused people worldwide to commit themselves to helping end violence in Syria. Since then, the atrocities have continued, and on Tuesday a chemical attack killed dozens of people — including children. The situation may seem hopeless, but there are many things you can do to help Syrian children, either those whose lives are at risk in the country, or those who have been displaced or are seeking refuge in other countries.
Since the Syrian Civil War began in 2011, the conflict has caused over 205,000 civilian deaths, 24,000 of which have been children, according to the UK-based non-governmental organization the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Many of these deaths have been caused by the violence itself, but others are the result of malnutrition, lack of access to medical attention, poor sanitation, and food scarcity. All of these consequences disproportionately affect children, who face a greater risk of being separated from their families and are more susceptible to physical and psychological distress.
Government agents and humanitarian aid organizations are not the only ones who have the power to create change and help the millions of Syrians who are struggling to escape violence and persecution. There are a lot of things you can do to support survivors of the Syrian Civil War, from donating money to volunteering your time to organizations that work with Syrian refugees.
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Sponsor A Syrian Refugee Child
Save the Children is an NGO that promotes children's rights and welfare in countries around the world. You can directly provide basic essentials, like food and education, for Syrian children living in refugee camps through the organization's sponsorship program. By making a monthly donation, you'll receive updates about the children you're helping, allowing you to not only provide financial assistance, but learn more about the kids who are most affected by the violence in Syria.
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Educate Yourself & Engage In Dialogue With Peers
Reading news about hospitals being bombed and children being trapped beneath rubble can be disheartening, but staying informed about the ongoing Syria crisis is a key way for you to advocate for change. The voices of Syrians matter, and it is only through amplifying them that we can collectively ensure that politicians and policymakers don't forget them.
You can sign up for newsletters from organizations like Human Rights Watch and Syria Relief to receive daily updates about relief and rescue efforts in Syria, and you can check out the website News Deeply to read in-depth coverage about international policy that directly affects the region.
Arming yourself with this knowledge can empower you to spark conversations with friends, family, and even your representatives about the devastation that Syrians are trying to escape. Even just one conversation can change someone's perspective and inspire them to get involved through volunteering or advocacy.
The latest attack in Syria is a reminder that Americans, and the American government, cannot stay silent while innocent civilians and children are being attacked, potentially by their own government. You have the power, and the choice, to play an active role in assisting Syrians and Syrian refugees through dialogue, donations, and advocacy.