Much like the photo of Alan Kurdi, the young Syrian refugee who drowned in September last year while trying to reach Europe, the footage of five-year-0ld Omran Daqneesh being rescued from the rubble of his apartment block in Aleppo has encapsulated the wretchedness of the Syrian war and its effect on children.
People have been asking how they can help those caught up in the conflict. Here are some institutions working in the country:
SAMS Foundation
Doctors from the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) treated Omran at a hospital they support in Aleppo. They operate 106 medical facilities in Syria, providing both general and specialised care. In 2015, they treated an estimated 2.6 million Syrians.
Syria Civil Defence
Dubbed The White Helmets, Syria Civil Defence is an organisation led by 2,900 volunteer search and rescue workers. Its “hero fund” goes towards providing treatment for volunteers injured while helping civilians and supporting the families of those killed.
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross works with its partner the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to provide aid. Its work includes helping Syrians to prepare their homes for winter, and providing health services.
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières
The organisation says “the scale of death, injury and displacement from the conflict following the Arab Spring protests of 2011 is unimaginable”. MSF’s work in Syria has been made difficult following the abduction and release of its staff in 2014. It was forced to close projects in areas controlled by Islamic State.
International Rescue Committee
The IRC has been working in Syria since 2012, with programmes led by cross-border teams in Iraq, Turkey and Jordan. Last year, it helped more than 1.4 million Syrians, including 16,000 female survivors of assault and abuse.
Unicef
The charity has launched its largest ever appeal for children affected by the conflict in Syria. Donations to the charity go towards delivering food, vaccines and water. In 2015, it treated 13,000 children for malnutrition.
Islamic Relief
Islamic Relief works on the ground in Syria distributing aid to more than 6.5m Syrians so far and helping hospitals in Aleppo to stockpile medical supplies.
Save the Children
In its largest ever emergency response, Save the Children helps to keep schools running in Syria as well as providing basic essentials and specialist emotional support for children. It estimates that it has helped more than 500,000 children in the country.
SOS Children UK
SOS Children UK have worked in Syria since the 70s. They have three child-friendly spaces providing safety in Damascus and Aleppo.
