Donate to charities to help refugee crisis, says Mayor Brian Bowman

Winnipeg mayor Brian Bowman suggestsif people want to help refugees they should start by donating to local charities.

Bowman appeared on CBC's Information Radio Tuesday and was asked if he is joining the call from Toronto Mayor John Tory and Calgary MayorNaheed Nenshifor the federal government to do more to help refugees.

The callcameafter the heartbreaking images of three-year-oldAlanKurdi, whose lifeless body washed up on a Turkish beach, shocked the world lastweek.

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Bowman said he is working with the big city mayors caucus to provide better coordination in the refugee crisis.

In the meantime, Bowman said the public should do what it can to support local charities who help refugees.

"While we're thinking globally to act locally with those organizations that are making a difference on the ground. Winnipeggers that do want to help, there are a number of organizations in Winnipeg that are doing really good work," Bowman said.

"MCC, Mennonite Central Committee is one that my wife and I have personally donated to already to assist with the refugee crisis from Syria right now," Bowman said.

"But there's groups like the Red Cross that are helping with the immediate assistance that the families that are fleeing Syria they have basic needs that need to be attended to right now and the Red Cross is helping out."