Outraged By What's Happening In Syria? Do Something About It.

The Syrian crisis has claimed nearly 500,000 lives and forced more than 11 million men, women and children to flee their homes. Damascus is committing war crimes against its own people with apparent impunity and aggressive military support from Russia a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The international community is watching in horror while hundreds of thousands of Syrians remain trapped under siege, as ceasefires fail and the death toll rises.

As the carnage in Syria drives the global need for humanitarian aid to a level not seen since World War II, U.S. President Donald Trump has slammed Americas door in the face of families desperately seeking safety and compassion. His administration has temporarily barred refugees, including those from Syria, from entering the country, and chopped the number of overall refugees to be resettled in the U.S. from 110,000 to just 50,000.

The sheer immensity of a global tragedy like the one unfolding in Syria may leave you feeling helpless, especially in such a seemingly xenophobic political climate , but you can get involved. As the war approaches its seventh year with no end in sight, here are some ways to support the innocent people suffering through what the U.N. has called the biggest humanitarian crisis of our time.

Educate Yourself

Step one is simple, but crucial: Educate yourself and stay informed.

If youre wondering What Is Aleppo? youve got a lot to learn but dont panic. As violence and political tensions have escalated in Syria, international reporting on the crisis has surged. News outlets like Syria Deeply provide focused, in-depth reports and analysis on Aleppo and the war. Sign up for weekly updates here .

If the maelstrom of media coverage seems overwhelming, there are other ways to keep up to date. Social media is an easy and effective tool to distribute and consume information. You can subscribe to content from online influencers like Syrian journalist Rami Jarrah , one of the most prominent voices coming out of the embattled country since the conflict erupted in 2011. Jarrah, also known under the pseudonym Alexander Page, gives an unfiltered, impassioned account of the daily atrocities and political developments occurring in Syria. Follow him here and here for quick, shareable updates.

This is the stare of man who recently lost 3 of his children, a few meters away cries a man who just lost his #Syria pic.twitter.com/H0uLuP9TDo

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This is the stare of man who recently lost 3 of his children, a few meters away cries a man who just lost his #Syria pic.twitter.com/H0uLuP9TDo
Rami Jarrah (@RamiJarrah) July 5, 2016

If youd like to learn more about the plight of refugees displaced by violence, Amnesty International is offering a free, three-week online course in English, French and Spanish called Human Rights: The Rights of Refugees. The program explains how to defend and protect refugee rights, the role of governments in this process, and how to confront prejudicial behavior toward refugees and asylum seekers. Register for the next session here .

Donate, Volunteer

A great number of humanitarian organizations are doing diligent work to help crisis-afflicted Syrians, and they need your support. Donating money can go a long way, but it can be tough to determine the best place for your aid. Charity Navigator is a nonprofit website that evaluates charitable groups based on accountability, transparency and financial performance. It offers a curated list of top-rated charities involved in the Syrian crisis. Check it out here .

The WorldPost and HuffPost UK compiled separate lists of charities operating in Syria to offer shelter, food and support to those displaced by the violence. Organizations like International Medical Corps also work with countries bordering Syria, including Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, which have accepted more than 4.4 million Syrian refugees collectively. IMC opened a center north of Aleppo in Gaziantep that offers specialized services to Syrian refugees struggling with emotional trauma. Donate here .