I am a chilean law student and it's difficult for me to see all these news and posts about "things happening in Aleppo and we're just witnessing it without doing anything about it". Can a simple 22 year old law student from South America do anything to help? (I kinda struggle a lot with the frustration of not being able to do anything that matters)
We all struggle with wanting to do more, but part of the challenge is to recognize our own limitations and maximize what we can do. My advice is to pursue a three-fold strategy: Donate, Educate, Advocate.
DONATE: There are some amazing organizations doing work in Syria and with Syrian refugees. Support them. In particular, those that are started by the Syrian diaspora. One of my favorites is Karam Foundation (www.karamfoundation.org). Others like Sunrise USA (www.sunrise-usa.org) and the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS - www.sams-usa.net) also do great work. All these folks have teams on the ground in Syria and in refugee camps. I would also add the White Helmets (www.whitehelmets.org), an amazing group of volunteer rescue workers inside Syria. Their work is inspirational. Others exist, small and large, so find whatever you are comfortable with.
EDUCATE yourself about the situation in Syria. Read. But do so wisely. In particular, learn what Syrians and people intimately involved with the situation are saying and writing. ISIS is *not* the biggest threat in Syria; the Syrian regime is. Assad is. Don’t fall prey to those who equivocate on this fact. They are either grossly misinformed or willfully advocating for an authoritarian ruler. Equip yourself with information. There are folks like Hadi Abdullah and Leila al-Shami providing witness from on the ground. Find them on social media and follow them.
Other people have been writing on the conflict. Here are a few authors I would recommend: Idrees Ahmad, Robin Yassin-Kassab, Hassan Hassan, Rania Abouzeid, Samar Yazbek, Rami Jarrah, Yassin al-Haj Saleh, Sam Charles Hamad, Fred Hoff, Charles Lister, Moses Brown, Janine di Giovanni and Deborah Amos. They write articles, books, take pictures and some blog. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Read. Then teach others.
ADVOCATE for Syria. Not just refugees, but Syrians inside the country. For starters, push for four things: safe havens in the country for civilians, lifting regime’s sieges that are starving entire populations, humanitarian corridors for aid and a political settlement. Ask your countries to be more proactive. Most governments don’t think Syria and the human suffering there matters to their own populations. They assume there is no political will. This does not have to be the case. Start your advocacy in the easiest way you can: in your own circles, with your friends, social media, etc. Don’t let Syria and Aleppo just be a headline for a passing moment. Keep paying attention. Demand that your politicians pay attention. Let apathy be your enemy.
