How Waterloo Region residents can help Syrian refugees

The deaths of two young Syrian boys and their mother in Turkey haverefocused worldwide attention on the humanitarian crisis in Syria. AlanKurdi, 3, his brother Galib, 5, and mother, Rehamdrowned after their rowboat capsizedwhile they were trying to reach a Greek island from Turkey.

The deaths of Alan and Galibhavealso increased pressure on the Canadian government after it was revealed the family was trying to get to Canada, and shifted the focus of the federal election campaign.

For local residents moved by the tragic photos of Aylan Kurdi and his brother Gulip,there are several options to lend your support to refugees coming to Canada.

Here are several local agencies that provide support and shelter for refugees arriving in the region.

Welcome Home Refugee Housing Community

• Donate on their website:http://welcomehomekw.ca/

Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support

• Mailing or delivering a cheque to: MCRS, 58 Queen Street S, Kitchener, ON N2G 1V6

• Online at the MCRS website

• Onlinethrough CanadaHelpslink

• Calling MCRS at 519-571-1912 ext. 4 to make other arrangements.

Reception House

• Make a donation online through CanadaHelps link

YMCAs of Cambridge &Kitchener-Waterloo

• Donate to the YMCAs online here
• Volunteer withYMCA Immigrant Services

Otheragencies helpingrefugees around the world

• United Nation Refugee Agency
• Mdecins Sans Frontires/Doctors Without Borders
• Canadian Red Cross
• Mennonite Central Committee
• World Vision Canada
• Oxfam International
• Migrant Offshore Aid Station, helping people in distresscrossing the Mediterranean in unsafe vessels.