Take action - 4 things you can do for Syria
As the war in Syria enters its seventh year, many of us feel helpless. We hear stories about children such as Fares, a 6-year-old from Syria who has never seen a classroom in his life, and we wish there was something we could do.
“My name is Fares. I do not know how to read or write. I only know how to draw the sky, the sea and the sun.”
But we must not give up hope. Together, we can take action. Together, the Messengers of Humanity can show their solidarity with the Syrian people.
In the following weeks, we will send you powerful actions that you can take to make a difference for the people trapped in Syria’s conflict and for the people who had to flee and leave everything behind.
Remember, you are not alone! The UN and our partners in Syria are delivering aid to millions of civilians, trying their best to reach as many people as possible. And on 4 and 5 May, world leaders will come together in Brussels to discuss the future of Syria and to find a lasting political resolution.
Her are 4 actions you can take to support refugees & displaced people
1. Make sure that Syria is not forgotten – share on social media
UNICEF released this moving video of 10-year-old Ansam, a blind girl who was displaced by the violence in Syria. Her song is a message of hope to the world. Children such as Ansam are not giving up and neither should we. Please share!
Click here to tweet: Do you wish there was something you could do to help #Syria? Check out these 4 actions that you can take now http://bit.ly/4thingsyoucando
2. Encourage universities to offer scholarships for refugees
For refugee students, not being able to continue their studies is devastating. Help them by writing an e-mail or a letter to your own university or a college near you and ask them to support a refugee. You can also e-mail major universities in the USA, asking them to admit more refugees. Here is a handy template.
3. Support internally displaced people in Syria
We hear a lot about refugees who seek safety outside Syria, but more than six million Syrians are displaced within their own country. They are often forced to flee at very short notice and have to leave everything behind. Many of them find refuge with host families, but others have to stay in overcrowded shelters. As the conflict continues, they are struggling to find food and water and are in dire need of humanitarian aid. If you want to help internally displaced people in Syria, you can donate to the UN’s humanitarian fund in Syria. Your donation will provide emergency food, water, shelter, medicine and other life-saving assistance to those who need it most.
4. Help refugees to integrate into a new culture
Refugees often feel lonely and isolated when they try to restart their life in a new country. Could you see yourself mentoring a refugee family? Imagine teaching the kids your language or helping the parents figure out the public transport system. Even small gestures of friendship can mean a great deal! A quick Google search can show you which groups and local non-profits are active in your area and looking for volunteers.
That’s it for today! Stay tuned, because over the following weeks and months we’ll share more actions that you can take to make a difference.
