Impact Your World

Support for Paris swells from around the world

By Katie Walmsley, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 12:55 PM EST, Fri November 20, 2015
A forensic scientist works near a Paris cafe on Saturday, November 14, following a series of coordinated attacks in Paris the night before that killed scores of people. ISIS has claimed responsibility.
A forensic scientist works near a Paris cafe on Saturday, November 14, following a series of coordinated attacks in Paris the night before that killed scores of people. ISIS has claimed responsibility.
MARIUS BECKER/DPA /LANDOV
Police are out in force November 14 near La Belle Equipe, one of the sites of the terror attacks.
Police are out in force November 14 near La Belle Equipe, one of the sites of the terror attacks.
Loic Venance/AFP/Getty Images
Forensic police search for evidence inside the Comptoir Voltaire cafe after the attacks.
Forensic police search for evidence inside the Comptoir Voltaire cafe after the attacks.
Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images
Shoes and a bloody shirt lie outside the Bataclan concert hall on November 14. Most of the fatalities occurred at the Bataclan in central Paris.
Shoes and a bloody shirt lie outside the Bataclan concert hall on November 14. Most of the fatalities occurred at the Bataclan in central Paris.
Christophe Ena/AP
Security forces evacuate people on Rue Oberkampf near the Bataclan concert hall early on November 14.
Security forces evacuate people on Rue Oberkampf near the Bataclan concert hall early on November 14.
MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images
Medics evacuate an injured woman on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire near the Bataclan early on November 14.
Medics evacuate an injured woman on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire near the Bataclan early on November 14.
Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Police, firefighters and rescue workers secure the area near the Bataclan concert hall on November 14.
Police, firefighters and rescue workers secure the area near the Bataclan concert hall on November 14.
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A man with blood on his shirt talks on the phone on November 14. He is next to the Bataclan theater, where gunmen shot concertgoers and held hostages until police raided the building.
A man with blood on his shirt talks on the phone on November 14. He is next to the Bataclan theater, where gunmen shot concertgoers and held hostages until police raided the building.
ETIENNE LAURENT/EPA
Police officers patrol the area around Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on November 14.
Police officers patrol the area around Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on November 14.
IAN LANGSDON/EPA/EPA /LANDOV
Police officers patrol Paris' Saint-German neighborhood on November 14.
Police officers patrol Paris' Saint-German neighborhood on November 14.
IAN LANGSDON/EPA
Victims of the shooting at the Bataclan concert venue in central Paris are evacuated to receive medical treatment on November 14.
Victims of the shooting at the Bataclan concert venue in central Paris are evacuated to receive medical treatment on November 14.
Maya Vidon/Zuma Press
A woman is evacuated from the Bataclan theater early on November 14.
A woman is evacuated from the Bataclan theater early on November 14.
Thibault Camus/AP
Forensics are working in the street of Paris after the terrorist attack on Friday, November 13. The words "horror," "massacre" and "war" peppered the front pages of the country's newspapers, conveying the shell-shocked mood.
Forensics are working in the street of Paris after the terrorist attack on Friday, November 13. The words "horror," "massacre" and "war" peppered the front pages of the country's newspapers, conveying the shell-shocked mood.
SIPA/AP
Rescuers evacuate an injured person near the Stade de France, one of several sites of attacks November 13 in Paris. Thousands of fans were watching a soccer match between France and Germany when the attacks occurred.
Rescuers evacuate an injured person near the Stade de France, one of several sites of attacks November 13 in Paris. Thousands of fans were watching a soccer match between France and Germany when the attacks occurred.
SIPA/AP
A survivor of the terrorist attack in the Bataclan is assisted following terror attacks, November 13. The violence at the Bataclan, which involved a hostage-taking, resulted in the highest number of casualties of all the attacks.
A survivor of the terrorist attack in the Bataclan is assisted following terror attacks, November 13. The violence at the Bataclan, which involved a hostage-taking, resulted in the highest number of casualties of all the attacks.
SIPA/AP
Spectators invade the pitch of the Stade de France stadium after the international friendly soccer match between France and Germany in Saint-Denis.
Spectators invade the pitch of the Stade de France stadium after the international friendly soccer match between France and Germany in Saint-Denis.
Christophe Ena/AP
Spectators embrace each other as they stand on the playing field of the Stade de France stadium at the end of a soccer match between France and Germany in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, on November 13.
Spectators embrace each other as they stand on the playing field of the Stade de France stadium at the end of a soccer match between France and Germany in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, on November 13.
Christophe Ena/AP
A body, covered by a sheet, is seen on the sidewalk outside the Bataclan theater.
A body, covered by a sheet, is seen on the sidewalk outside the Bataclan theater.
Jerome Delay/AP
Rescuers evacuate an injured person on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, close to the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris.
Rescuers evacuate an injured person on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, close to the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris.
MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images
Wounded people are evacuated outside the scene of a hostage situation at the Bataclan theater in Paris on November 13.
Wounded people are evacuated outside the scene of a hostage situation at the Bataclan theater in Paris on November 13.
YOAN VALAT/EPA /LANDOV
A medic tends to a wounded man following the attacks near the Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire.
A medic tends to a wounded man following the attacks near the Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire.
Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images
A woman walks past police and firefighters in the Oberkampf area of Paris.
A woman walks past police and firefighters in the Oberkampf area of Paris.
DOMINIQUE FAGET/AFP/Getty Images
A riot police officer stands by an ambulance near the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris.
A riot police officer stands by an ambulance near the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris.
DOMINIQUE FAGET/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Wounded people are evacuated outside the Bataclan concert hall.
Wounded people are evacuated outside the Bataclan concert hall.
YOAN VALAT/EPA
Police secure the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, following explosions during the soccer match between France and Germany.
Police secure the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, following explosions during the soccer match between France and Germany.
Michel Euler/AP
A wounded man is evacuated from the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.
A wounded man is evacuated from the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.
IAN LANGSDON/EPA /LANDOV
Spectators gather on the field of the Stade de France after the attacks. Explosions were heard during the soccer match between France and Germany.
Spectators gather on the field of the Stade de France after the attacks. Explosions were heard during the soccer match between France and Germany.
Michel Euler/AP
French security forces rush in as people are evacuated in the area of Rue Bichat in the 10th District of Paris.
French security forces rush in as people are evacuated in the area of Rue Bichat in the 10th District of Paris.
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images
People leave the Stade de France after explosions were heard near the stadium during a soccer match between France and Germany on Friday. Paris Deputy Mayor Patrick Klugman told CNN President Francois Hollande was at the match and was evacuated at halftime.
People leave the Stade de France after explosions were heard near the stadium during a soccer match between France and Germany on Friday. Paris Deputy Mayor Patrick Klugman told CNN President Francois Hollande was at the match and was evacuated at halftime.
Michel Euler/AP
Victims lay on the pavement outside a Paris restaurant.
Victims lay on the pavement outside a Paris restaurant.
Thibault Camus/AP
Rescue workers and medics tend to victims at the scene of one of the shootings, a restaurant in the 10th District. Attackers reportedly used AK-47 automatic weapons in separate attacks across Paris, and there were explosions at the Stade de France.
Rescue workers and medics tend to victims at the scene of one of the shootings, a restaurant in the 10th District. Attackers reportedly used AK-47 automatic weapons in separate attacks across Paris, and there were explosions at the Stade de France.
Thibault Camus/AP
French security forces move people in the area of Rue Bichat in the 10th District. A witness told BFMTV that firefighters were on the scene to treat the injured.
French security forces move people in the area of Rue Bichat in the 10th District. A witness told BFMTV that firefighters were on the scene to treat the injured.
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images
Night of terror: Paris attacks
CNN  — 

As many countries now find themselves in a heightened terror alert, France is still attempting to recover from the November 13th terror attacks in Paris, that killed at least 129 people. Terrorists, some with bombs strapped to them, some with AK-47s, attacked sites across the city. The international terror group ISIS claimed responsibility. But even as the full horror became clear, support has swelled around the city and beyond.

In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, social media pitched in. For those concerned about loved ones, or those in Paris wishing to assure friends and family of their whereabouts, Facebook launched a feature allowing users to let their network know they are safe.

Meanwhile #rechercheparis was being used on Twitter by those searching for missing loved ones.

Even as President François Hollande urged those in the city to shelter, the hashtag #porteouverte allowed users to find Parisiens willing to open their homes to provide refuge for those in need. The hashtag trended as far afield as the U.S., as flight cancellations and delays continued to leave people stranded.

Meanwhile across social media there were reports of taxis turning off their meters to help people get home for free.

The sentiments #prayforparis and #peaceforparis rippled across Twitter, many accompanied by a poignant image of the Eiffel Tower in a CND symbol.

Buildings around the world, including the Empire State Building in New York, Sydney Opera House, Wembley Stadium in London and Rio de Janeiro’s “Cristo Redentor” statue lit up Friday and Saturday night in France’s national colors of red, white and blue to show their solidarity with the victims and the city of Paris.

Facebook users everywhere changed their profile pics to reflect the hues of the French flag.

Taylor Swift tweeted “Look for the helpers,” a sentiment that echoed across social media.

Facebook activates ‘Safety Check’

Ways to donate

Several organizations responded across the city in the aftermath of the attacks:

The French Red Cross mobilized over 300 volunteers to help those impacted. You can donate here.

And even while urged to remain inside, people across Paris lined up to give blood at donation centers and hospitals. Those in the area can access a map of blood donation centers using the Don du sang app here.

The Sweet Stuff Foundation, previously created by Eagles of Death Metal co-founder Josh Homme to help musicians during periods of disability and illness, announced all donations up to December 31 would go to the families of musicians and crew members killed in the Paris attacks.

Eagles of Death Metal were the band playing at The Bataclan at the time of the attacks. Their merchandise manager Nick Alexander was among those killed.

A memorial fund has also been created for U.S. student Nohemi Gonzalez, who was among those killed at La Belle Equipe restaurant. All donations go directly to her family, and you can find details here.

The French Interior Ministry launched a website to report those missing, as well as take evidence, here.

Americans in Paris were urged to call 001 202 501 4444 for information and assistance. Those in the U.S. concerned about loved ones in Paris should call 1 888 407 4747.

Complete coverage on the Paris attacks