It is hard on the human heart to follow the tragedies of civil war and mass killings, especially when it occurs so far from our everyday reality. After reports of chemical warfare in Syria, it is crucial that young people play a role in ensuring humane conditions to people worldwide.

After all, when we hear about dire situations abroad, like in Syria, the first thing we ask ourselves is, “What can I do?”

It is simply too difficult for an average citizen to make a definite assertion about how to properly respond to the situation in Syria due to lack of credible information. And any citizen who thinks they fully grasp the conflict, is either ignorant or over-simplifying the issue.

As students, temporarily caught up in the world of academia, we can only debate the “what ifs” and “what should be.”

But as residents of Syracuse, there is much more we can do. Last Friday, students met at Hendricks Chapel to organize different methods of how we, Syracuse University students, can take a stand and preach both peace and love in the face of violence and hate regarding Syria.

A personal initiative was set forth by Alma Begic and dozens of others with the cooperation of several student clubs such as the Muslim Student Association, Turkish Student Association and a variety of other academic and student affair departments. The initiative hopes to work with a leading Turkish humanitarian organization, “Kimse Yok Mu!?” The non-governmental organization, whose name translates to “Is Anyone There!?” is now focusing on the conditions of overburdened refugee camps in the Turkish-Syrian border.

While this organization certainly isn’t the only option to get involved in humanitarian assistance in Syria and the refugee camps of those displaced by ongoing violence, it embodies global citizenship at SU: Think Globally, Act Locally.

The beauty of humanitarian work is that it is, if done properly, completely independent of political, religious and socioeconomic disagreements. It appeals to the most honorable virtue – compassion. And while it certainly isn’t a solution, it accomplishes the necessary relief.

During the 1970s, many U.S. college campuses took a stand against atrocities going on abroad such as South African Apartheid. In the ‘90s, SU students demanded products sold at the SU Bookstore be made under fair working conditions.

The situation in Syria is far too complex for any unilateral stand; however, we can commit to assisting more through humanitarian organizations. For example, helping displaced peoples, striving for millennium development goals or any noble challenge still facing the global community.

Last year, following hurricane Sandy, I was amazed by the many initiatives students (and student organizations) took to deliver clothing, canned goods and bare necessities to impacted communities. While granted this was much closer to SU, I can still envision students applying the same passion to communities in need regardless of distance, like Syrian refugees in Turkey.

Of course, a logical challenge all humanitarian organizations face is that everyone wants to help everyone. Meanwhile, many specialists argue it is more efficient for organizations to focus on specific target locations and issues.

We must align ourselves with the specific cause of Syrian refugees in designated Turkish cities instead of trying to cover an overwhelming amount of humanitarian efforts. It is hard on the human heart to follow atrocities continuously. It is easy on the human soul to continuously aid those in need.

Ignacio is a junior international relations major. His column appears weekly. He can be reached at ninavaau@syr.edu.

Published on September 5, 2013 at 12:54 am