Another week, and once again Syria hits the headlines. With (well documented) violence on a steady rise, the conflicted country has been hit by an Arctic winter that has left many of its citizens uprooted, not to mention struggling to survive. We've compiled a list of the different charities, organisations and appeals doing their best to change the situation for those on the ground. We've also added the best sources of information on new developments in the region, to help you gain an in-depth understanding of what's happening.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

GOV.UK'S SYRIA SITE
www.gov.uk/syria

A great way to suss out what the UK has done and is continuing to do to help Syria is to check the government's Syria site regularly. It's concise, it's informative, and it's on the forefront of any news developments. 

AL JAZEERA: SYRIA LIVE BLOG
www.aljazeera.com

Al Jazeera has got what is possibly the most extensive coverage on the Syria situation. Follow their feed for live updates, including debates, articles, and breaking news. This spreadsheet explaining Syria's allies and enemies is particularly illuminating.

UN REFUGEES: SYRIA
www.unrefugees.org

The UN is the largest aid organisation for Syrian refugees. Their site explains how and why the violence has escalated in a myriad of ways. Here you'll find information on what you can do to help the UN help the refugees, as well as find out what celebrities (like Angelina Jolie) are doing to make a difference. Here you can join the American Emergency Response Team, and you can even create an online birthday wish for donations.

HELP FOR SYRIA
www.helpforsyria.org.uk

Help for Syria is a campaign that's raising awareness of the current atrocities. With 6.5 million people internally displaced, it's one of the biggest humanitarian disaster of our time, and one that needs all the awareness it can get. The site also acts as a portal to all manner of charities and organisations pushing for aid.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

It doesn't matter how extensive your knowledge of the fighting is, your help can still make a difference. These are the core charities to target to make sure your financial support goes the furthest.

MUSLIM AID SYRIA APPEAL
www.muslimaid.org

Offering emergency aid to refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, this charity helps families by handing out food parcels and hygiene packs. In the winter months, they work tirelessly to provide as many refugees as possible with warm clothing and blankets. Even a single donation will go a long way. 

HAND IN HAND FOR SYRIA
www.handinhandforsyria.org.uk

Hand in Hand for Syria is an organisation that distributes medical supplies to over 70 hospitals all across the country, as well as delivering clothes and food packets to refugees. With the donations of the public they've been able to open three hospitals tending to over 145,000 injured Syrian refugees.

SYRIA RELIEF
www.syriarelief.org.uk

Syria Relief urgently needs donations to go towards clothing for refugees. This winter has brought on severe weather conditions, and as a result tens of thousands face the reality of freezing to death. The Syria Relief holds a number of events and projects across the UK to help you help out. 

CARE: SYRIA
www.care.org/syria-crisis

Each new day brings more wounded Syrian refugees in need of medical attention. Based in Lebanon, CARE is trying to make sure those rising numbers of people receive the care they need. The CARE organisation is non-partisan and focuses on long-term help, and therefore provides an important link between the humanitarian aid and the actual development in Syria. 

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY: HELP SYRIA
www.fh.org/helpsyria

Food For The Hungry is a Christian aid organisation that provides short-term relief in the form of food and clothes. With a special focus on refugee children, you can help out via donating cash or sponsoring a child. You can even choose where your donation will land (options include school fees, school supplies, school desk, sport clubs for twenty children, and more). 

January 2014