I'm completely consumed and devastated by the news coming out of Europe about the Syrian Refugee crisis. I don't have much money that I can give - but I have given to some organizations that I know are trying to do some good.
What can I do as a US citizen to help these families get safely out of a war zone? I feel helpless and broken hearted. I want to open my home, but I have no mechanism to do so. So I want to open this question up to anyone who might have suggestions. What can I do? Any suggestions are appreciated.
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I've donated what I can to a charity. I think giving $5 is still something.
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I know what you mean! I think what hit me the most was reading / seeing that picture with the little boy body that wash up to shore ... looked like he was sleeping but he wasn't.
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You can donate. Just make sure that you are donating to a reputable charity. You can search through Charity Navigator. Personally, I'm planning to donate to MOAS (http://www.moas.eu/). They are an organization dedicated to searching for migrant boats and helping them to safely reach the shore and aiding them if they are in danger. It won't stop migration but it certainly ensures that more people reach safety instead of drowning at sea. Another organization worth donating to is the IRC (https://engage.rescue.org/donate/with-syria) on the ground in Greece.
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Yes I was wondering the same. I would love to open my home as well but dont have the ability either. Im looking into donating for sure
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I live in Austria and I have also been completely consumed by the refugee situation. Refugees are arriving at train stations that are less than 20 minutes from my apartment. If my LOs are not sick tomorrow, I plan on taking a few bags of clothes and diapers to one of the train stations.
@math.nerd: I'm going to wall you some info since fund raising isn't allowed directly on HB.
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@MrsKoala: Yes, I did donate to MOAS already. I wish I could give more. I think I'm going to try to organize a large garage sale or something to raise funds in my area.
@lamariniere: Thank you for anything you do. If there is anything I can do from here to help you in Austria, please let me know! -
@math.nerd: I do know that the main thing all of the charities are requesting is money.
Also, for those interested in donating, this Guardian article links to a number of charities that are helping refugees. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/03/refugee-crisis-what-can-you-do-to-help
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@math.nerd: find some Direct Selling moms to offer a charity "party" - you can organize even if you cant contribute financially. I do it often bc my Direct Selling biz is more for the discount than the income and just donate all of my commission to the person/charity.
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@Raindrop: I saw this at lunch today and cried in the middle of the cafeteria. I can't imagine feeling so desperate that putting my family in such danger is the best option.
@MrsKoala: Thank you for the links.
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My heart has been shredded by the images ... especially of the little boy.
I was wondering the same thing this morning (how I can help). Thanks for the links & resources!!
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I'm crying at work
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@MrsKoala: Thanks for the link... Going to donate to MOAS!
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I just keep crying and crying about this, I can't erase the images or thoughts from my head. Thank you so much to those of you who have posted links to reputable organisations, I will be donating today.
I saw an editorial cartoon with the following tagline today: "We are losing our humanity, and the people will die at the borders"
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Hello all,
I wrote the following letter and emailed it to my senators and to the White House. I encourage you to do the same, if you're so inclined. Feel free to use your own words or take mine.
Dear [recipient],
I am devastated by the news coming out of Europe about the Syrian refugee crisis. I feel hopeless and helpless and overwhelmingly compelled to act. But I do not know how. I have given the little money that I can to the organizations that I believe are doing their best to do some good, and I will continue to do so. However, there is so much more to be done.
What is the US government doing to help protect the Syrian people and get them SAFELY out of a war-zone? What is the US government doing to protect and house these human beings in this ugliest of times? But more importantly, what MORE can we do? And how can I help make it happen?
I know that there are a myriad of domestic issues that need to be addressed. But I strongly believe that we cannot be good citizens of the world unless we act now to show compassion and humanity to these people who are the victims of man's inhumanity to man.
Please help me do something. Please tell me that the US government will extract people from this war torn country, these perilous waters, and these crumbling encampments and bring them safely to a welcoming land. The humans of the world are prepared to open our homes - please tell me that the governments of the world will let us.
Thank you very much.
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@math.nerd: Great letter. I also just read the IRC (International Rescue Committee) is looking for volunteers. If they have an office near you, you could consider volunteering for them.
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@MrsKoala: Thank you! I am going to contact the IRC in my area today. There is one nearby.
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Thanks to everyone who has donated or plans to. I took diapers and food to one of the refugee camps today and it is absolutely heart wrenching to see mothers, children and young babies in this precarious situation. On the flip side, the local support in Vienna has been absolutely overwhelming. I volunteered to stay and help but there are so many good people out there helping that they were turning volunteers away. People are also streaming in with donations by the armload and the truckload. This is such an awful tragedy and even more gut wrenching when it strikes on your doorstep. What if this had happened to you or me? Hug your loved ones close and remember how lucky you are compared to so many people.
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We have donated money through the link mentioned by @lamariniere.
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I joined a group on Facebook that is facilitating a donation of baby carriers so that parents can carry their children.
It's called 'carriers for kos' if anyone is interested and would like to donate a carrier of theirs.
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@math.nerd: Just read this article, which made me think of your thread!
http://www.vox.com/2015/9/4/9258149/syria-refugee-humanitarian-intervention
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@Littlebit: that's a really great organization! Volunteer services here are definitely calling for strollers. I saw a mama this morning with an infant and a little guy who looked to be about 2. I have no idea if she had anything to carry her children in.
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grateful for this post and all the links!! thank you!
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@math.nerd: At my daughters school the parents are being asked for all their used books and they are going to sell them to the second hand stores and then use those funds to send to charities! I think this is a great way!
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Thank you to everyone for the info. I like the idea of donating baby carriers. I wonder if coming from the US, a monetary donation or a donation of goods like clothes or other supplies is more useful. I really want to help but feel paralyzed at the sheer scale of suffering.
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@MoonMoon: I volunteered at one of the train stations yesterday and, quite honestly, the local support has been completely overwhelming and they are even turning away clothing donations and asking people to stop bringing them because there is simply too much. They cannot store/sort things at the rate that they are coming in. The one clothing item that is definitely needed though are coats and warm jackets. Most of these people are coming from warm countries so they are ill prepared for the cold and temperatures are already cooling down here. The greatest need is for men's size small coats as, in general, these men are of a smaller stature than the average European man. Other than that, I would suggest monetary donations to a charity as they always need funds.
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@lamariniere: thank you for the first hand information. I think monetary donation is the best idea for me.
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