Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Kickstarter Partners With United Nations In Campaign To Help Refugees

The United Nations Refugee Agency and Kickstarter have joined forces in an effort to raise money to help migrants fleeing the violence in Syria.

In a video, Anne-Marie Gray, executive director and CEO of USA for UNHCR, said this "human tragedy" is the "largest migration crisis of our time."

And, she added, "We all have a responsibility."

Advertisement

The White House also added to this call, conjuring the story of how in 1885, thousands of Americans banded together to collect millions to build a base for the Statue of Liberty.

Obama said that while the U.S. is contributing as a country to help refugees, regular Americans should step in, too.

"This isn't just about what I can do as President," Obama said. "Every single one of us – from citizens to NGOs – can help refugees find safe haven."

So far, the campaign has raised more than $928,000 from more than 14,000 people. Kickstarter says it is not charging its usual 5 percent fee, so all the funds — minus a credit card processing fee of about 2 percent — will go to USA for UNHCR.

Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.