The U.S government has launched its first crowdfunding campaign with help from Kickstarter in order to fund aid for the ongoing refugee crisis in Syria.
This is also the first time that the Silicon Valley startup has hosted a charity appeal, typically reserving its crowdfunding platform for “creative” projects instead.
After requests from the White House, Kickstarter has partnered with the United Nations refugee agency for a week-long event, which has so far raised more than $1 million with over 18,000 people donating.
The Kickstarter page explains where the money will go, with donation options ranging from $15 for a mat and sleeping bag for one person, to $600 to provide a year of care and education for a Syrian child.
The government has also introduced the hashtag #AidRefugees, in the hopes of engaging the public with the plight of those affected, through social media.
A blog post on the White House website says: 'We can join together to provide shelter, food, and medical assistance to these people in need. It’s the American thing to do.'
The US government has already donated $4.5 billion to the refugee crisis, with President Obama quoted as saying: 'We have a moral responsibility to do what we can for families forced from their homes.'
For more information visit Kickstarter's website
