Tech companies respond to Syrian refugee relief effort

As hundreds of thousands of Syrian families continue to seek refuge, President Obama went online, and asked Americans to help.

"We have always been a people who ask what we can do," Mr. Obama said. "And that's why the United States of America will always be a beacon of hope to all who need it."

Technology companies responded by rolling out campaigns that will allow Americans to donate online. Crowdfunding website Kickstarter raised more than $1 million in 24 hours.

"It's something that our community and our platform are very good at," said Yancey Strickler, CEO and co-founder of Kickstarter. "I think that increasingly disasters and, and global crises like this are not just the provenance of governments, it's also private institutions and public institutions working together."

When 25-year-old graphic designer Kaela Gallo received an email from Kickstarter, she acted immediately.

"It seems to be a very tangible way for me to be involved," said Gallo. "Donating to them made it seem like there would be action when I click that button... there will be something done. That water will be given to them. There would be someone on the other end of it, and be grateful."

Online grocery delivery service Instacart is giving customers an option to buy food for refugee families. Airbnb, a website for finding and sharing housing, is providing free housing credits to aid workers. Facebook announced plans to provide free internet access to refugees.

Bob Ottenhoff is the president of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.

"It begins to encourage participation from the American public," said Ottenhoff. "(It's) something that's been lacking up until now. And, hopefully it's also going to attract a new generation of donors."

"I could donate those $15 that are expendable to me, but are very needed for the people at the other end," said Gallo.

Ottenhoff said getting Kickstarter and others involved is really significant, and it could bring millions of dollars to this cause.

"But it is not going to solve the problem. The needs at this point are billions of billions of dollars, and so it's going to take governments all across the world," he said. "It's going to take major contributions from corporations and foundations, as well as the kind of money that Kickstarter going to be able to raise in the next few weeks."