A special Kickstarter campaign invites you to aid the ballooning Middle Eastern refugee crisis, with all proceeds going directly to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The one-week fundraiser was launched on Tuesday in response to a question posed by President Barack Obama: could crowdfunding incite Americans to get more involved in refugee relief?  White House staffers raised the concept to Kickstarter CEO, Yancey Strickler, who told the Guardian, “I immediately said yes.”

“This is not something we’ve ever done before. We’ve always focused strictly on creative projects,” Strickler said, “But in this instance, it’s a call from the White House. And feeling, like a lot of people, overwhelmed by the immensity of this situation, we felt compelled to act, and if our product could provide any path forward for the people, we should do that.”

Crowdfunding websites have helped boost development of creative eco-solutions including soccer balls that convert kinetic energy into electricity, unusual water conservation products such as “Drop A Brick”, and documentary filmmaking to raise awareness of critical environmental issues.  Kickstarter’s foray into humanitarian aid could transform charitable giving. At least the project is raising awareness.

In addition to raising money (as of this posting, they raised more than $760,000 USD), the partnership with UNHCR will also direct-deliver aid to hundreds of thousands of refugees making their way into Europe from Syria and in intermediary refugee camps. Donations will go towards life-saving equipment including tents; emergency rescue kits of water, food and warm clothing; sleeping bags, thermal mattresses and sleeping mats; and foster care and counselling.

This isn’t typical Kickstarter. Any amount of donation is accepted. They’ve waived their all-or-nothing funding policy wherein only projects that meet stated fundraising targets get to keep the money raised. There are no enticing rewards for donors (at least, not tangible ones), and the company is donating 100% of their usual fee to the aid effort.  All donations are USA tax-deductible.

For months, we’ve all watched waves of refugees, driven from home by violence and war. They travel on foot and through open water in unsafe boats carrying tiny children and whatever they can fit into backpacks, seeking safety in whichever foreign land that will accept them. An estimated half a million Syrian asylum seekers have arrived in Europe so far in 2015, and 800,000 or more will arrive by year’s end – most of whom are children. Conflict has displaced an estimated 11.6 million people in the past five years. This crisis is evolving and is undeniably urgent.

UNHCR is responsible to give aid and shelter, reunite families, and support people as they struggle to build new lives. The agency is chronically overburdened and underfunded. The agency is almost entirely funded by direct, voluntary contributions – the bulk of it from donor nations. Non-governmental organizations and private sector corporations, trusts, and foundations also contribute. A small annual subsidy from the United Nations goes towards administrative costs. But it’s not enough.

The United States government has spent $4 BIL on security, fresh water and food for Syrian refugees living in camps outside the country. Click here to read more and donate. Watch to see what regular people can do.

Image from UNHCR/A.McConnell

The post UNHCR and Kickstarter could be the “A-Team” for refugee aid appeared first on Green Prophet.

That stunning statement bears repeating: more will die this winter from cold than from a violent three-year war, and the smallest will be the largest casualties.

Stay in your seat, no need to get up.  Just check out these simple ways to make a difference.

This past week Jordan got snowdrifts, school and office closures, and schmaltzy holiday Muzak blasting in the malls. But the aspect of Christmas that’s in short supply is gifting to those who need it most. Can’t chalk it up to stinginess: people here do give, a lot.  There’s just too much damn need in this kingdom.

Working from home again today (airport highway impassable), I fire up the laptop and am quickly lobbed three emails.  Each laid out a simply request for a tiny bit of cash that could be transferred with a mouse click. And each focused on child refugees.

Screw politics, set aside religion; this couldn’t be easier.  It’s about kids.  Kids living in sodden tents with damp dirt floors.  Kids with awful shoes living with traumatized adults who need real help protecting their cold, scared kids.

The video below is the pitch from UNICEF UK.  Let’s hope the featured celebrities coughed up some cash. You can donate by credit card (link here). The site says that the British government is matching donations pound for pound.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/un4cZOKFK3M[/youtube]

Here’s another from Helping Refugees in Jordan (HRJ) (link here). Jordan-based HRJ organizes experienced volunteers who connect donors (of goods, resources, skills) with appropriate recipients, mostly refugees living in overburdened host communities. As part of their winterization campaign, HRJ is bulk-buying gently used coats in Jordan for peanuts and direct-distributes them to refugee children. A great way to upcycle and recycle!

Your full donation goes straight to essential aid; HRJ applies no overhead charges and they sidestep shipping and import fees which can paralyze private donations by purchasing goods in-kingdom. They have no political or religious agenda; this is just about keeping kids warm.  Read more about them on their Facebook page (link here).

Lastly, here’s the Mercy Corps’ “We Care About Syria” Winter Campaign (image above). 

Can you spare a dollar a month? Twelve bucks will buy a kid a winter coat and a plush toy, and they’ve just inked a deal that adds scarves, hats and socks to each package (all within the $12 price tag). 

This project uses HRJ volunteers who donate their time, allowing every dollar donated to go directly for relief. If this one appeals to you, donate though their link here.

Sure, Green Prophet will continue to bring you cutting edge environmental news. 

We’ll toss in fascinating updates on sustainable technology, some wild entertainment, and delicious recipes too.

But, in the spirit of the season, kindly indulge one of these humanitarian appeals. These maximally efficient projects mean the difference between life and death for a child this winter.

Please take a moment  to give?  And pass to others who might also chip in their pocket change. Thank you.

The post Save a tiny Syrian’s life by giving online appeared first on Green Prophet.