People use bucket challenge to bring attention to poverty and conflict

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- People around the world have taken a cue from the ALS fundraiser to bring attention to the conflict in Gaza, poverty and a lack clean water.

In Gaza, journalist Ayman al Aloul started the #RubbleBucketChallenge to bring attention to the conflict in the region. Aloul said he used rubble instead of water because water was a scarce resource for the Palestinians. He is trying to encourage people to make videos of themselves pouring rubble or dust over their heads to bring attention to the crisis.

"I have to do something and to send a message all over the world about Gaza," he told NBC News on Saturday.

In India, journalist Manju Latha Kalanidhi decided to start the #RiceBucketChallenge to bring attention to the poverty and lack of clean water. A quarter of the world's malnourished population is in India, living on less than $2 per day. The project's goal is to inspire people to take video of themselves giving rice to those in need.

"The idea of dunking oneself in icy cold water, shrieking in horror and then uploading the bizarre video felt preposterous," Kalanidhi told Quartz referring to water scarcity. "I wanted to just do something local, meaningful without wasting anything. So rice replaced water here."

Both have gotten international attention, but have yet to go viral like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.