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Syria refugee crisis: what you can do to help

A migrant is detained in Bicske, Hungary, yesterday.  Picture by Petr David Josek/AP Photo
A migrant is detained in Bicske, Hungary, yesterday. Picture by Petr David Josek/AP Photo A migrant is detained in Bicske, Hungary, yesterday. Picture by Petr David Josek/AP Photo

THOUSANDS of refugees fleeing war-torn regions in the Middle East and Africa are risking their lives to make the journey to Europe.

Here are some practical ways you can help.

- Ireland Calais Refugee Solidarity have requested donations for refugees staying outside the French port.

You can donate money online at www.gofundme.com/9zwfscys

- The Belfast refugee solidarity group have asked for specific items including tents, men's clothes, torches, bicycles, and toiletries. Donations can be dropped off at several places across Belfast, including at Queen's Students' Union between 9am and midday tomorrow, and the Alliance Party's office in the east of the city.

https://www.facebook.com/belfastcalaisrefugeesolidarity

- You can make a financial donation to charities helping to alleviate the crisis, including Save the Children, Trócaire, and the Red Cross.

Across Europe, citizens and groups have responded to the crisis.

Laura Padoan from the UNHCR, which is providing food, water and help to refugees fleeing Syria and elsewhere, said the organisation has seen a major spike in donations over the past week.

She said "pensioners in Dorset and in Tunbridge Wells" had offered their spare rooms to refugee families.

German football club Bayern Munich is to create a training camp for refugee children while donating a further one million euro towards refugee projects.