So maybe you are already know everything about what is happening in Aleppo, Syria. Or maybe you are like me. Maybe you know enough to know that it's bad, but not enough to know how to help or even inform others.
Aleppo is a northern Syria city that has been in a deadlock for the last four years that only recently came crashing down. Rebels working to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad have created a war zone in city of 2.3 million people (as of 2005). Russian airstrikes and Shia militaries are helping President al-Assad, while rebel groups attain their funding from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United States.
So if this fight has been going on since 2012, why are we just now hearing about it? The United Nations has called the situation "a complete meltdown of humanity" so clearly, it deserves to be talked about. According to the Human Rights Watch, the Syrian-Russian coalition has repeatedly committed war crimes, including murdering innocent people. The situation has turned into a genocide, yet people haven't been informedenough to call it like it is. 82 civilians have been killed by pro-Assad troops for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A Doctors Without Borders hospital was struck on on November 17 2016 and more than 20 workers were killed. On December 5 2016, Bana Alabed, a 7-year-old Syrian girl tweeted "Pray for Us. Goodbye," finally capturing the attention of millions of people. A few weeks before, Alabed tweeted that their house had been bombed and her family had been left for dead.
Attack after attack, Aleppo is losing its once large population to true cruelty from the coalition. But knowing a little more about what's happening in Aleppo doesn't really help the situation, does it? What can we do to help?
1. Join (or organize) demonstrations in your local area. Being informed is one thing, but speaking out about injustices is another. Use #StandWithAleppo when posting on social media to encourage others to stand up, as well.
2. Volunteer for Doctors Without Borders to help on the ground. Despite the airstrike, workers have remained in the city.
3. While Syria has blocked the UN from shipments entering Aleppo, donate to this list of trusted NGO's working on the ground.
4. Petition for aid drops to begin in Aleppo.
5. Join PlanetSyria in calling activists to stop the airstrikes and bombing, while creating a new cohort of Syrian leaders.
The people of Aleppo, Syria have fallen victims of a tragedy in a struggle between leadership. It is time to get informed about what is happening and take action. Most of this list are things that can happen from the comfort of your own couch, free of airstrikes and bombings, so I urge you to help stop the bloodshed in Aleppo.
Please resteem.
Image credit: National Review