We are living in a time when two major humanitarian disasters are taking place across the world, Syria and Yemen. Syria has been plagued by war since civil war broke out, started by pro-democracy marches in 2011. Four and a half years later, 250,000 people have lost their lives, many of whom are children. With millions of displaced people fleeing the country or becoming displaced within Syria itself, the situation is at boiling point. With rebel forces, civilians, the government, America, and Russia all heavily involved and aiding different sides, the closing of this war is not going to happen soon. Apart from understanding the immigrant crisis and praying for the situation that these people, who are just like you and me, have to face, it is also important to look into practical ways that we can donate and keep up to date with the situation.

Here is a list of organizations that you can do so with:

1) CARE

CARE is a non profit organization that aims to end poverty, by directly taking action to reduce it, there are four main crises’ that the website highlights, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan and the disaster stricken countries that were hit by the storm El Niño. The CARE website has many ways for you to get updates by email, options for you to donate, and other interactive ways to show you are concerned and ready to help. There is even a way to provide encouragement to refugees by writing them a personal message: https://my.care.org/site/SPageNavigator/CARE_Speci... .

The CARE website is also a great resource to just learn about what is going on around us and who is in need, what some of the major causes of poverty are and how we can work against it! Here is a link to the Syrian homepage but I highly recommend going through the entire website to see how much need there is around us, and small ways where we can help greatly. http://www.care.org/emergencies/syria-crisis

2) Save the children

Save the children is a great way to be able to sponsor a child whether in a low income home here in the US, or abroad. There are also great team fundraising ideas that the website makes available, in order for schools and large groups to get involved in causes they are passionate about. As well as donation goals Save the children allows you to see just how badly affected the children of Syria are in this crisis. Here is a link to the Syrian page:

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4...

3) OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)

A major part of being able to help those in dire situations, can actually be understanding the situation that they are facing by reading about it. The report that OCHA provides is one of the most detailed that I have been able to find, without having the biases that the news carries with it. The report gives data on the facts, as well as information regarding dates and events, different age groups affected by the crises, and their risk levels and problems. The report is good at labeling the major needs, successful humanitarian aid provided to different areas and negative affects of the war too, including casualties and future effects.

https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/system/fi...

Yemen

There has been and rightfully should be a lot of focus on the civil war that is devastating Syria, but we mustn't forget the dire situation that Yemen is in too right now. Yemen underwent drastic changes similar to Syria, during the Arab spring uprising which saw mass protests across the country starting in 2014. Since that time the situation in the country socially, economically and medically, has dramatically decreased. With over 80% of the population needing aid and a famine spreading throughout the country, Yemen is in dire need of support and aid.

1) CARE

As well as giving informative data about Yemen, CARE provides awareness and opportunities to donate, alongside a page to learn more about the refugees that are coming out of Yemen, and many other middle eastern and African countries too. Yemen has consistently been one of the poorest countries in the world but with this Famine and political instability, the situation is at breaking point. CARE is able to supply birthing and medical kits; alongside the many other things they do to help a country where 1 in 10 children die before the age of 5.

http://www.care.org/country/yemen

2) Save the children

Save the children is specifically good at providing information about the problems at hand, and the specific issues that each age group is facing. The newsletter they provide on their site, lists the increasing problems as they develop. Save the children has been in Yemen since 1963, where poverty has sadly continued to increase over the years, making their work there, even more urgent. The newsletter is also good at giving information on what Save the Children are demanding in response to what they have seen:

http://www.savethechildren.org/atf/cf/{9def2ebe-10...

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4...

3) Oxfam UK

Oxfam UK gives current, unbiased information about the crisis around the world, and informs the public about who is involved in such things, as providing arms to different groups. With the arms crisis being supported by the British government, there are petitions you can sign to demand the re-evaluation of these actions done by the government. The Oxfam website also contains a shop where you can buy clothing, accessories and more with the money going to the causes Oxfam supports.

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what-we-do/emergency-respo...

War is not accidental, it is an intentional action by a group of people inevitably leading to death, destruction and the deprivation of resources. Countries such as Syria and Yemen are suffering and it’s about time that we, as fellow civilians, rise up and put a stop to the madness! Use some of your spare time today, to research and donate to the above websites or others that support these countries that are pleading for help!