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Aleppo: What You Can Do To Help

Oxfam, Red Cross and other aid organisations have appeals set up.
The scenes of devastation from the Syrian city of Aleppo are half a world away, yet still have the power to impact us here in Australia.

A range of charities are running appeals to help the 100,000 people trapped in East Aleppo, amid reports of the execution of women and children by pro-Government forces.

The Australian Council for International Development, which is the umbrella group for Australian charities in this space, urged people to donate.

"The reports from Aleppo are harrowing. This is a crucial moment to help desperate people who are fleeing a violent city. Australia's humanitarian agencies are working to reach Syrian families who have been brutally effected by this war, providing much-needed emergency shelter and distributing food, clean water, hygiene kits, mattresses and blankets to thousands," humanitarian adviser Bethany Hender said.

"The generosity of Australians is unwavering, but sending items such as clothes, food or bedding can have unintended consequences, like diverting the attention and resources of aid workers. Using cash donations, our members can direct supplies and materials to the right place, quickly and effectively."

Here's what you can do to help.

Oxfam

"Oxfam is deeply concerned at reports that dozens of civilians, including women and children, have been executed in Aleppo by pro-government forces," Oxfam's Syria Crisis Response Manager Andy Baker said.

"The government of Syria and their armed allies must ensure civilians who remain in besieged East Aleppo or have fled to government held areas are safe and their rights are respected. There must be no reprisal attacks, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial executions or disappearances under any circumstances.

Donations to Oxfam's Syria Crisis response can be made at oxfam.org.au/Syria or by calling 1800 034 034.

Australian Red Cross

Thousands of civilians are in grave danger in the final moments of the battle in eastern Aleppo. Their lives must be spared #warshavelimits

— Australian Red Cross (@RedCrossAU) December 13, 2016

Donate to the Syria Crisis Appeal.

UNICEF Australia

Donate to help children at UNICEF's Syria Crisis Appeal.

WorldVision Australia

Angela Huddleston, World Vision's head of programs in northern Syria, said the spectre of hunger is another devastating blow for the children of Aleppo.

"It's a grave development and signals a new low in this horrific conflict," she explained.

"It's likely to mean more cases of malnutrition, and we expect young children to be worst affected."

Donate to WorldVision's Syrian Refugee Crisis appeal.

Medicins Sans Frontieres

"This is one of the worst crises MSF has witnessed in years," Head of MSF's Emergency Unit for Aleppo Teresa Sancristoval said.

"We remind all sides that even war has rules. It is paramount that all parties allow people to flee to safety, allow the evacuation of sick and wounded, and facilitate the provision of protection and humanitarian assistance to those that are caught on the front lines."

Care Australia

Donate to CARE Australia's Syria Appeal at www.care.org.au/Syria

Mercy Corps

Here is the complete list of Australian charities (members of the Australian Council for International Development) raising funds for Syria:

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