How you can help Syrian refugees

It’s happening on the other side of the world. In the past four and a half years, 250,000 Syrians have died and 12 million have fled their homes because of intense civil war — numbers incredibly challenging to wrap your head around. Especially in the last month, stories of refugees and migrants dying while trying to reach Europe have made international headlines. This weekend alone, Austria received 20,000 newcomers.

Speaking from Berlin Sunday, Secretary of State John Kerry said the Obama Administration plans to increase the number of worldwide refugees the United States accepts each year from 70,000 to 100,000 by 2017.

But this is a slow and arduous process. How can people in the Inland Northwest help in the meantime?

DONATE: Here are a number of organizations working to bring relief to Syrian refugees across the world. Donations of any monetary value work to provide refugees with food, clothing and shelter while getting them to a safe place.

- USA for United Nations Human Rights Organization
- UNICEF United States Fund
- International Rescue Committee
- Save the Children Federation
- World Vision
- Islamic Relief USA

TIME: World Relief Spokane has recently helped to resettle Syrian refugees, along with many other refugees from around the world, in Spokane. Once here, the organization gets refugees set up with ESL classes,housing support, job training and  Christians from local churches. You can find out more about offering your time and energy with this organization at the next volunteer orientation happening this Wednesday from 5-6 pm at the World Relief office, 1522 N. Washington. Register at http://worldreliefspokane.org/volunteer

SPREAD THE WORD: This is tough stuff, but talking about the crisis makes it real. Urging Congress to take action is another way to spread the word. 

National Geographic recently released a stunning Syrian refugee photo gallery. View that here.

For a list of many other organizations and charities helping people in need locally, check out the recent Inlander Give Guide.