According to figures provided by the United Nations, more than 43 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution, while several million more have been uprooted by natural disasters. Men, women and children from countries such as Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan are leaving their homes behind in the hope of finding a better life elsewhere. The scale of this problem is alarming, and with so many people feeling lost, scared and alone, it’s up to us to help. To learn about how you can do your bit to help refugees across the world, keep reading.
Make a donation
There are a number of charities and organisations that are running appeals dedicated to helping the plight of refugees, and by giving a donation, you can provide assistance to those who need it the most. For example, Human Appeal, a Muslim charity based in the UK that focuses on international development and relief, accepts donations to help refugees heading to the Greek island of Lesvos, and it has already used the funds it’s received to supply the thousands of people that arrive on the island with food, clean water, medical treatment and translation assistance. Since the majority of people who make it to Lesvos arrive by boat, they are often sunburnt, soaking wet and in poor health, so by contributing to humanitarian organisations like this, you can help make sure they get the care they need when they reach the shore.
Aside from making a monetary contribution, you can make donations in other ways. Many charities accept donations of items such as tents, sleeping bags, gloves and blankets, as well as foodstuffs like tinned goods, tea bags, oil, rice, salt and biscuits. While it might not seem like a lot, these types of items could mean the world to someone else.
Spread the word
Although this is a subject that’s been in the news a lot recently, not everyone is up to speed with just how difficult life can be for the people fleeing their home countries. By spreading the word among your friends, family and colleagues, you can help increase awareness of this problem, and by doing so, you can encourage others to make a donation.
It’s hard to imagine living in so much fear that you’re driven to leave your home and country behind. However, for refugees across the globe, this is a very real situation. Making a donation and getting the word out among your family and friends are simple yet highly effective ways you can do your bit. Together, we can help those in need find the solace and comfort they’re looking for.