Crisis in Syria

     By Tabara Nosiba and Noshin Hoque

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION     

       

       The civil war in Syria that began on March 15, 2011 is unfortunately still continuing to devastating results. This war has left thousands of children orphans, millions of muslim brothers and sisters displaced to neighboring countries, and more than 100,000 people have been killed in the process. It has devastated cities, livelihoods, cultural artifacts and the sovereignty of syria. The conflict has its roots with protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime on March 2011. Pro- and anti- government crowds clashed until troops were forced to intervene and openfire. It began in a small village, and spread to major cities such as Homs, Aleppo and Damascus. Within six months, these isolated acts of violence crossed the casualty threshold and was officially declared a Civil War by the international Red Cross.

             What began as a small protest escalated to a global conflict in need of foreign intervention, in which various countries were involved politically, militaristically, and logistically. Most of all, this war has left many families devastated, millions displaced and numerous lives destroyed. The UN reported in July last year that more than 100,000 people have been killed. The methods and tactics itself in the war has created heightened concern as both sides have committed war crimes putting innocent civilians at risk. In fact, investigators report that there has been at least 27 incidents of mass killings. One such example of that would be the use of chemical weapons such as the Ghouta attacks which killed more than 600 people in three different areas. Entire generations and towns were wiped out by the use of inhumane nerve gas.

               The civil war currently going on for 3 plus years is something that is not going to disappear anytime soon and so ACTION is needed in all ways. Numerous avenues are available to those wanting to help out from donating, fundraising, and raising awareness of the issue. Those physical help is limited, we can contact those that can push for such help such as local politicians and notable personalities with influence. Sometimes amassing many small pushes can equate to a large impact for change. For the sake of the innocent people dying every minute in Syria, for the sake of all the soldiers, and most importantly, for the sake of Allah, everyone should be inspired to help those in Syria and fight for their cause.

 

WAYS TO HELP OUT

 

Donate

As many of us know, the Syrian conflict has left many families and individual in devastating conditions. Many are without food, shelter, and medicine. In order to support victims, we should make donations to support UNHCR’s work in Syria. Donate here

 

Host a Fundraiser in your community

The only thing that this requires is some creativity and gathering of materials. It’s all up to you. It can be quick and simple as gathering donations from friends and family to hosting an event within your community. Some ideas include a concert, sports game, or a poetry slam.