#WorldHumanitarianDay is around the corner, which should serve as a gentle reminder that you can and should make a difference to the world you're a part of.
In May, and for the first time in history, the United Nations held a World Humanitarian Summit. World leaders came together to discuss ways to better the lives of millions of people in needs of humanitarian assistance.
World Humanitarian Day is on Aug. 19, and there are organizations and individuals from around the world paying tribute to aid workers who risk their lives to serve humanity.
Millions have been forced to flee their war-stricken homes, many of whom lost family members, friends and some lost their future. Many refugees have also been faced with difficulty getting into neighboring countries.
If you're wondering what you can do to help refugees, this is a good place to start:
1. " Share The Meal " with refugees
Download the app ( iOS or Android ) and donate as little as $0.50 to help provide food to Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon.
Being the largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, the World Food Program provides assistance to 80 million people each year. In the summer and fall of 2015, the organization shared 1.8 million meals with children in Lesotho. In November and December 2015, the WFP raised funds to provide school meals to 20,000 Syrian refugee children living in camps in Jordan. In January and April 2016, the organization raised enough funds to support 2,000 mothers and their babies in Homs for a full year.
2. Help refugees get an education
You can opt to start a crowdfunding campaign that supports a local NGO that is working to change that.
Not too long ago, medicine students in the United States, Ahmad Elkhatib and Heba Osman, launched a crowdfunding campaign to provide Syrian children refugees with the basic right of an education.
The duo successfully raised $16,430 which was all donated to local Jordanian non-profit organization White Hands, to aid its project "Al Rahba Children's project" which looks to build a scool for refugees residing in Mafraq, Jordan.
And remember that # EducationCannotWait .
3. Donate and volunteer with aid agencies
You can donate sums of money to committees and aid agencies including the International Rescue Committee, UNICEF and Save the Children . You can also volunteer to help around refugee camps inside your home country.
4. Run a race to raise funds
Team Save the Children offers an endurance program providing athletes the opportunity to run miles while raising funds for refugees in need.
UNICEF also has a " Get Active for Children " program that does the same thing as well.
With Save the Children, you can choose to sponsor a specific child (by region, country, gender or age), providing the child with an education, good health, and nutrition. If interested, read more about it here .
6. Support these NGOs providing mental health services to refugees
Most aid organizations in Lebanon lack the expertise and resources to provide one-on-one counseling sessions, which is why organizations like Amel Association, War Child and Basmeh and Zeitooneh provide psycho-social support for those struggling or rely on referrals to international organizations.
Some organizations you can reach out to if you're interested in contributing include International Medical Corps, MSF Lebanon, ADN Center and Restart Center .
7. Stand with refugees by signing this petition
The petition asks governments to “act with solidarity and shared responsibility.”