I've been horrified to see the violence unfolding over the past year in Gaza and now in Lebanon – and felt helpless to do anything about it. I know many people feel the same way. That's why I'm dedicating my upcoming 38km trail race in Cappadocia to raising money for emergency response.
The organization I'm raising money for, Medical Aid for Palestinians, is a UK-based charity that has been recommended by multiple friends and colleagues working in the journalism and human-rights fields. You can read more about the assistance they are providing in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon here.
I also wanted to share a few other opportunities for helping people in this region. All of these organizations have been recommended by trusted friends and colleagues; I hope you will donate to whichever one(s) of them speak to your heart.
- INARA – Focused on providing medical and mental health care to children affected by conflict, INARA is responding in both Lebanon and Gaza
- Help one family survive and rebuild their future in Gaza – This is an individual fundraiser organized by a personal friend of mine, a Gaza-born photojournalist living in Istanbul
- Basmeh & Zeitooneh – This established organization running relief and development programs for Syrian refugees in Lebanon is mobilizing to provide urgent relief for families that have been displaced again by the current conflict
- Oshana – This organization founded by and for Syrian women living in Lebanon helps them earn a dignified living through handicrafts, but nearly all of the women and their families have been forced to flee their homes again; you can support them by buying products from their online store or donating directly to their crowdfunding page
- Beit el Baraka – A Lebanese charity founded to help families struggling due the the country's financial crisis, they are now providing relief to those affected by conflict; you can select 'South Lebanon Aid' when you make a donation