People around the world have come together in response to the terror attacks in Paris, with many showing their support for the victims through social media. One common thread is a feeling of helplessness; that there is little we as a society can do in the wake of such horrific events. Thankfully, there are tangible, actionable ways that the international community can help the victims and families of Friday’s attack.
Support the French Red Cross (Croix-Rouge française)
Les équipes de la Croix-Rouge française ont été mobilisées cette nuit. Près de 300 volontaires sont intervenus en…
Posted by Croix-Rouge française on Saturday, 14 November 2015
The Croix-Rouge française announced over Facebook that close to 300 volunteers have been dispatched throughout Paris to help bring relief to the victims. You can donate to their relief efforts by visiting their website. Their donation page is available in both French and English.
Use The #PorteOuverte Hashtag (if You Can)
Beautiful light in the darkness: Parisians use #PorteOuverte to offer strangers shelter after night of horror https://t.co/ECKsKRbM5y
— Ian Beckett (@ian_beckett) November 14, 2015
Translated into English, the hashtag means “open door” and it has been used by residents in Paris as a way to offer up their homes to those in need. Those in other countries have also taken up the hashtag, as a way to offer up their homes for French travellers currently stranded outside France by travel delays or border closings.
Donate To Local Organizations
Déclaration de @julienlaupretre suite aux attentats #ParisAttacks du 13 novembre. pic.twitter.com/Ze8OENyQCp — Secours populaire (@SecoursPop) November 14, 2015
Secours populaire française is a local organization that offers support to those suffering from poverty. Julien Lauprêtre, the organization’s president, released a statement calling for “gestures of humanity”. Visit the organization’s website to donate funds or your time.
Restaurants du Coeur is another local organization in need of funds. The aim of this organization is to provide food to the poor. You can make a one-time or monthly donation enabling them to purchase food for a family or single person for a month or throughout the winter through their website.
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