It's time for a humanitarian surge in Syria

Millions of Syrian refugees have been displaced by the violent conflict in their home country and are in need of help, but humanitarian agencies have received less than half of the funding they need to provide basic refugee assistance. Foundation Beyond Belief's Humanist Crisis Response program is raising funds for International Rescue Committee to support their Syrian refugee relief efforts. To contribute, click here. As of Friday morning, our humanist community has raised $8,815 for this crisis.

The IRC's president and CEO, David Miliband, spoke with the BBC about the urgent need for a humanitarian surge to help Syrian refugees.

"There are now 5 million people inside the country displaced from their homes, 2 million in the neighboring countries, winter is coming, and so the needs are absolutely acute. And we also know that the aid contributions haven't met the scale of the need that the UN have identified. So it's time for a humanitarian surge."

Among other initiatives, the IRC has been working to improve sewage systems for refugees in Iraq, providing latrines, showers, and access to clean water. In the new Arbut refugee camp, the IRC provides 80,000 liters of drinking water a day.

To learn more about this crisis, click here or visit the IRC's Syrian Crisis Storify. To donate, click here.