The chemical attack in Syria is a war crime. Here's how to help.

Robbie Couch
04.05.17

Hundreds of Syrians, many of them children, were the victims of an unconscionable chemical attack — carried out by their own government — on April 4, 2017.

The attack was orchestrated under Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to U.S. officials, and has killed at least 70 people and injured hundreds more in the northern rebel-backed Idlib province, CNN reports.

The attack was particularly gruesome. The chemicals released possibly contained a nerve agent and other illegal substances that caused victims to gasp for air, writhe uncontrollably, and foam at the mouth while struggling to survive, rescue workers have reported, according to the New York Times.

A young victim of the chemical attack receives treatment in Maaret al-Noman. Photo by Mohamed Al-Bakour/AFP/Getty Images.

There's no quick fix. There's no redeeming silver lining that makes these deaths any less heartbreaking and senseless. Syrians are living through what most of us — watching the news through glass screens miles and oceans away — simply cannot fathom. The easiest thing to do right now is look away. But we shouldn't. We can do something. Now is the time to help.

Amid the chaos and misery, lives are being saved and families are staying whole, thanks to the courageous people working on the ground in Syria. And they need our help.

Photo by Mohamed Al-Bakour/AFP/Getty Images.

You can donate now to these organizations, all of which were on the ground, helping victims as the horror unfolded:

  • The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (OUSSM)
    OUSSM provides emergency medical relief and health care services to hundreds of thousands of people affected by violence in and around Syria.

  • The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS)
    SAMS has over 100 medical facilities throughout Syria, providing life-saving treatments and procedures for people in desperate need of care.

  • The White Helmets
    When devastation strikes, the Syria Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets — a group made up of rescue volunteers — is usually among the first to rush in. Their mission is to save innocent lives, regardless of religion or politics.

It's understandable to feel outraged, but use that feeling to inspire you to act. The more we care about the Syrian people today, the more lives we'll be able to save tomorrow. 

Syrians pray before burying the bodies of those killed in the chemical attack. Photo by Fadi Al-Halabi/AFP/Getty Images.

charity syria how to help chemical attack bashar al-assad syrian american medical society war crime sams union of medical care and relief organizations
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