The Syrian refugee crisis has been heartbreaking to watch, but there is some good news on the horizon – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged that Canada will settle 10,000 refugees by the end of this year, and another 15,000 by the end of February.
If you’re interested in helping in the refugee crisis, here are some great organizations that could use your money and/or your time, collegiettes!
The Canadian Government
The Canadian Government has set up a website to help Canadians find refugee welcome events and other ways to get involved, which you can take a look at here.
Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women
This organization connects Windsor women with immigrant women to help them get settled in the area. They also offer employment services, a youth arts program, and language and skills training, among many other things. They’re always looking for volunteers, and you can find out how you can give your time here.Syria Emergency Relief FundIf you donate to a charity that is registered under the Canada Revenue Agency before the end of this year, the Canadian Government will match every dollar donated under the Syria Emergency Relief Fund. You can find out if the charity you want to give to is registered here and you can get information on how to get your gift matched by the Canadian Government here.
Doctors Without Borders Canada / Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF)
MSF continues to operate in Syria, but their ability to help is limited due to the nature of the conflict, especially after some MSF staff were abducted and released in 2014. MSF has not received permission from the Syrian government to work in the areas it controls, so they are limited in where they can work. However, they do directly support around 150 hospitals within Syria, and they have about six MSF facilities set up in the north of Syria. You can learn more about their mission in Syria and how to donate here.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
UNHCR is an extension organization of the UN that helps refugees who are displaced within Syria and around the world. This year, they’re proposing that you do your holiday shopping and help refugees – they have a page dedicated to gifts of water, food, shelter, education, and maternal aid to help refugees around the world. You can donate in someone’s name or dedicate that gift to them. A perfect gift for mom this year? Buying diapers for a refugee mother’s new baby!
There are lots of ways to give – you can give your money, you can give your time, or you can give both! We need everyone’s help with this, so let’s get started collegiettes!
Photo source: http://www.usnews.com/cmsmedia/7a/35/9ea8e2db4827bc305e3d365c47ad/150108…