Author: davidkila

With this article, the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) goes straight for the jugular, providing statistics from the very beginning. These stats include numbers on how many have been displaced by the Syrian crisis, areas where most of these refugees originate, and figures on the number of countries the UNHCR has helped thus far. Following the logos overload, the author comforts his audience through ethos, outlining how the non-profit is funded and collects its data. He argues that these meticulous reports are essential for their partners and other Syrian relief organizations to have in order for them to respond to the issue effectively. While I am confident that the UNHCR would greatly appreciate the general public’s donations, this article was more so centered on instructing rather than gaining.

This source is highly credible due to the sheer amount of maps, graphs, and statistics provided throughout the reading. In addition to UNICEF’s many evidences, the readers can feel at ease, knowing that the information has been updated as of January of this year and originates from an accredited non-profit organization. The piece is intent on giving the general public a snapshot of all that’s happening with the Syrian Refugee Crisis, outlining UNICEF’s humanitarian efforts with cold hard numbers, and garnering donations to further the non-profit’s work. The author makes the claim that, despite all of the wreckage, UNICEF can drastically improve the Syrians’ situation through greater support, around $320 million in funds for this year alone, and a well-defined game plan. The strategy, which includes definite action in health, nutrition, protection, etc., makes their activities transparent and instills trust between the organization and the audience. The author also calls to attention the endeavors that have already been done in 2018, bringing the entire article full circle.

This purpose of this piece is not to instruct people on the Syrian Refugee Crisis through numbers and stats but to make the issue more human by sharing the stories of young ones who have dealt with the turmoil firsthand. The articles recounts the accounts of over 10 children and causes the readers to re-see the problem through innocent eyes. One tells of a girl and her sisters, who were forced to flee after their house had been bombed. “The bombs were hitting constantly, I was very scared.” In an excerpt titled What Syrian Refugees Miss Most About Home, children shared about how they miss seeing their homes, playgrounds, schools, and loved ones. Walaa, a 17-year-old refugee living in East Jordan, remembers the night an explosion devastated her home. An an instant, her and her family had become homeless, and the smell of death deepened. Overall, the person who organized this article argues that those on the outside of the conflict need to stop treating the issue like a game of facts and numbers. There are real people being affected, and they need our help.

This concise reading highlights the heroic works of two Oahu men who helped in rescue around 200 refugees during their time in Lesvos, Greece. Josh Moroles, of Kāne‘ohe, and Matt Chamberlain, of Kaimuki, work in conjunction with the International Surf Lifesaving Association, which fosters worldwide water safety. The Hawaii News Nows Staff accented their bravery with photographs and quotes from Josh Moroles himself, giving more insight to the readers. Having a 15-year-old son, Moroles couldn’t imagine the horrors these refugee children and adults had to experience. The article was written to remind the people of Hawaii that the Syrian Crisis is still ongoing as well as praise the efforts of two of our own.

This piece stems from a non-profit that aims to aid families devastated by the Syrian Refugee Crisis by providing essentials, such as family-sized tents, blankets, and solar lights. The organization’s mission is to offer relief and comfort so that those affected by the war can feel at peace in the midst of the chaos. The annual report is directed to those who have previously donated in order to illustrate more clearly how their money was used as benefit as well as to those who may be interesting in giving. The purpose of the article is to reinstate hope that something can be done, that those damaged by the violence are not lost hopes. The author opens it by detailing how the war broke out in the first place and supporting his findings with maps and statistics like “more than half of all Syrians have been forced to flee their homes.” He then reminds the audience of ShelterBox USA’s commitment to the relief fund as of 2012 and gives photographs of what exactly is being purchased with the donations. After that, the author appeals to our pathos by recounting the story of Ahmad, who is now on his path back towards normality after receiving assistance. Lastly, he puts out a call for help, asking for the readers’ contribution in the matter now that they are more aware of it.

Ducharme’s contentious article dives deep within man’s unconsciousness in order to unravel the often misunderstood reasoning as to why our brains “shut down” with repeated exposure to violence portrayed on the news. It is aimed towards the American public, specifically those who keep up with the news on a daily basis. He partners with several professors from across the country and former senior FBI official Katherine Schweit to pinpoint the mechanisms that allow for desensitization and offer practical solutions to keep the issue from escalating. Dr. Bruce Harry, associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, states that the overwhelming nature of mass shootings causes our central nervous systems to power off. The amygdala, which processes external stimuli and emotions, isn’t hardwired to cope with such horrific events. Sociologist Jack Levin adds that it’s not that we are intentionally trying to argue the weight of these violent incidents. It’s rather that our fear of them has skyrocketed to unprecedented heights. Jeff Temple suggests that Americans schedule time apart from the news and social media or possibly even seek professional mental help to alleviate our brains from all the stress the constant violence pours on us.

This article is aimed at protecting those who donate to any organization against charity scams. The author argues that online giving can be trustworthy, if givers take the necessary steps to guard themselves. Rather than having donors only react to potential financial and/or identity theft, the reading arms them with vital information to prevent fraud in the first place. Charity Navigator suggests that readers research if a non-profit is a registered public 501(c)(3) organization as well as its mission, goals, and track record. The info is well-structured and allows the readers to apply this advice with ease.

I can’t help but imagine what the refugees must’ve felt to be captured by the coast guard while on the brink of freedom. All the planning, saving, and risk-taking up to this point were ransacked in the moment of their arrests. Now, the refugees were kicked back the square one but now with more physical and psychological trauma than they had to begin with. On the beach where they were stopped, they were commanded to lie on the sand, where they were treated as dogs. To be in Bisan’s condition would be frightening all the more. I don’t know how she survived all same abuse the other refugees faced on top of her diabetes. On the race of their lives, the refugees got caught up in shaky waters.

Prior to beginning Crossing the Sea: With Syrians on the Exodus to Europe, I had very little knowledge of Syria, let alone the crisis going on over there. As an outsider, I believed that the Syrians lived in small homes with little to no modernization. That is why I was surprised to uncover that some Syrians have many of the same technologies we have here in the US. These include smartphones, braces, and international schools. I thought that Syrian government only allowed them to convene with their own people. However, the one item that caught my attention the most was e-cigarettes, especially since they are still something very new here in Hawaii. Maybe we really aren’t as different from Syrians as we are distant from them.

I believe that the U.S. and Western European countries should offer financial, military, and legal support to the Syrian refugees. If I had the final say, I would ask these countries to pitch in around five to ten million dollars each worth of aid a year. This would be allocated for necessities, such as safety, shelter, and nutrition. Enough assistance to provide Syrians with these amenities on a daily basis should be granted. The U.S. and Western European countries should also provide a legal, affordable, and timely means of escape from their home country. By doing this, these countries would be setting aside money towards a more long-term solution, while keeping more money within their own borders.