13 Ways to Support the People of Syria

From Harper's BAZAAR

Update: Early on the morning of Monday, April 9, it was confirmed that overnight air strikes were carried out against a Syrian military base, reportedly leaving 14 people dead. According to The New York Times, Israel is being blamed for the eight-missile airstrike, which targeted a Syrian air base known as T4, in the central province of Homs, used by both Syrian forces and the Iranian-backed militias.

The NYT further reported that according to the Russian news agency Interfax, the Russian military released a statement confirming that the strikes were launched by two Israeli F-15 warplanes. The statement said the planes had fired from Lebanese airspace and that Syria’s air defense systems shot down five of the missiles, while three struck the western side of the T4 military base.

According to a war-monitoring group per the Associated Press, the most recent air strike hit mere hours after more than 40 Syrian citizens were suffocated to death as a result of a toxic chemical attack on the rebel-held suburb of Douma, east of Damascus, which was reportedly carried out by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

With thousands of civilians trapped in the center of these rebel-held areas, humanitarian organizations and rescue workers are desperate for more resources. Here are some of the ways you can help the people of Syria today.

1) The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS)

SAMS is a nonpolitical medical relief organization specializing in crisis relief in war-torn areas of Syria and its neighboring countries. With more than 100 medical facilities throughout Syria, SAMS strives to provide medical care and proper treatments for patients in need. Donate to SAMS here.

2) The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (OUSSM)

Like, SAMs, OUSSM is dedicated to providing free medical aid to victims in Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria. The organization, which has chapters across the globe, is currently taking direct donations for the victims of the April 4 bombing. OUSSM is looking to raise $100,000 in donations to help the victims. Help them reach their goal here.

3) Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières, is a world-wide organization dedicated to providing medical assistance to war-torn countries. The organization played a major role in helping the citizens of Aleppo after one of their hospitals suffered an airstrike that killed more than 20 workers and patients last year. You can donate to the organization here.

4) The White Helmets

The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, are a group of volunteers who search recently bombed locations and rescue surviving and or trapped civilians. By the end of 2016, the group had successfully saved more than 73,530 people from attacks in Syria. You can help by donating to the cause here.

5) Sunrise USA

Sunrise is an American-based organization founded in 2011 by a group of Syrian-American professionals. Sunrise aims to help Syria through humanitarian aid as well as emphasizing child development and education. Apart from healthcare, Sunrise's main purpose is to create long-term solutions for the people of Syria. You can donate to Sunrise here.

6) Oxfam International

Oxfam International provides showers, clean water, and toilets to those currently living in refugee camps. The organization also provides refugees with medical aid and legal advice. You can donate to Oxfam here.

7) The United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees

The main focus of the UNHCR is to provide refugees in war-torn countries such as Syria and Iraq with necessities such as hygiene kits, sleeping bags, and medicine. The organization played a huge role in distributing goods back in December after more than 80 civilians were killed by Syrian troops. You can donate to UNHCR right here.

8) Islamic Relief USA

Islamic Relief USA is made up of volunteers who provide aid to those in need without discriminating against gender, race, or religion. Help the organization by donating here.

9) Planet Syria

There are other ways to help the cause besides donating money. Planet Syria is a nonviolent activist organization with the mission of spreading the word about the Syrian crisis through peace talks. If you don't have money to give, but want to support the cause, you can help Planet Syria simply by signing the cause statement and sharing it online to help spread awareness.

10) International Committee of the Red Cross

The ICRC and its partner, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), are committed "to act as a neutral and impartial humanitarian intermediary" during the Syrian conflict. You can make donations to both organizations to help provide food and medical deliveries to those in need.