The International Organization for Migration recently announced that since the beginning of the year over one million migrants and refugees have reached Europe, mostly via irregular means. The surge of refugees, which is the biggest since World War II, is mainly fueled by Middle Eastern and African civilians fleeing conflict in their countries.

During a TED Talk, UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokeswoman Melissa Fleming suggested eight practical ways for people to help refugees.

1. Hosting asylum seekers and refugees in civilian homes

A simple way to help refugees is letting them use vacant rooms in your homes. For example contacting the Refugee Welcome initiative, active in 20 countries, is a suitable way for matching those with spare rooms and refugees in need.

 2. Volunteering for specific skilled-based tasks

For example language teachers can volunteer to train refugees who lack required language skills or hairdressers can offer free haircuts.

3. Help in asylum seekers' cultural integration

Even the smallest gestures of friendship can go a long way with people having a hard time getting used to a foreign culture.

4. Scholarship programs for refugees in local universities

Students who are forced to migrate usually lose the chance to complete or peruse their studies. Universities in Australia and Canada are currently offering scholarships to refugees. You can try to encourage local academic institutes to do the same.

5. Refugee employment

Try to employ refugees if it is permitted in your country. Local resettlement centers can be a point of connection with refugees seeking work.

6. Offering volunteer positions to refugees

In countries where refugee employment in prohibited, giving refugees volunteer positions may lend them more purposeful days and a chance to gain valuable experience which can be used in the future.

7. Organizing fundraising and awareness events

Such events can be easily held in the communities, schools or even the workplace, for example sponsored marathons or other sport events or even a garage sale.

8. Donation

There are plenty of organizations helping refugees in various ways. They can always be grateful for your donations.