Last Monday in the city of Aleppo, over 80 civilians--including women and children--were executed by Syrian pro-government forces.
In the days since, Aleppo has commanded increasing worldwide attention. President Bashar al-Assad's forces continue to seize the city from anti-government rebels, but rebels aren't the only ones remaining in Aleppo. Civilians, trapped between warring government and insurgent military, are unable to get out amid the chaos. As recently as Friday, December 17, evacuees were forced back into the demolished city by Assad's men.
Aleppo's survivors face the constant threat of violence, shrinking resources, and a freezing winter without adequate shelter. Thomas White, a Response Director with the Norwegian Refugee Council, told reporters, "Our major concern at this point is -- not only in Aleppo but across the country, where there are people being displaced by this fighting -- is that they're living in the open, they're exposed to the elements. And it's cold right now, and this winter in northern Syria will be a killer."
Here are several ways to help. Aleppo may be far away, but the means to assist it are not.
1. DONATE.
Even small donations can have powerful impact in providing food, shelter, and relief to Aleppo's survivors. A list of trustworthy organizations can be found here. A few examples and noteworthy groups:
The White Helmets
The White Helmets are a nonpartisan search-and-rescue group made up of unarmed civilians. These volunteers risk their lives to pull survivors and bodies from the rubble, working on the ground in a highly dangerous area.
Consider funding their efforts here--or donate to a fund for families of the volunteers killed in action.
The Syrian Children's Relief Fund
The Syrian Children's Relief Fund is organized by Save the Children, a four-star, international, non-government organization promoting child protection in developing countries.
Donations to this specific fund provide shelter, medical care, clean water, and warm clothes to endangered children throughout the Syrian area.
2. EDUCATE.
Learn more about the Syrian crisis from official sources. The more you know, the better-equipped you'll be to help.
The nuances of a political situation can be difficult to understand, but informing ourselves takes us from a passive position to one of action. When we understand current events--especially ones where lives hang in the balance--we place ourselves in a position to confront problems and, by adding our voice, to improve them.
Here are several resources with which you can explore the situation in Syria: United Nations Refugee Agency, the US State Department, and the USAID Center For International Disaster Information.
3. USE YOUR VOICE.
If this situation unsettles you, take action. Create and strengthen awareness.
Educate others. Use social media and the tag #StandWithAleppo. Join peaceful demonstrations like those in Birmingham, London, and Luxembourg. The more voices we join, the louder the call for efficient evacuation will be.
Don't remain silent.
