If you want to make your experience abroad more meaningful, volunteering for refugee relief is a great way to make a positive impact as you travel. In the middle of 2023, it was reported that 110 million people had been forcibly displaced from their home countries.
As the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) points out, we are experiencing the greatest refugee crisis in recorded history. With events such as wars and natural disasters creating extensive displacement worldwide, there is an even greater need for international volunteers to offer their time and skills to refugee relief.
So, why volunteer with refugees? As a volunteer, you will be able to make an important difference and contribute to a pressing global issue. Keep reading to find out more about why you should volunteer with refugees and some of the best programs to consider.
Why volunteer with refugees? 12 top reasons to consider it
When you decide to volunteer with refugees, you’re deciding to make a difference in real people’s lives.
If you are wondering why you should volunteer with refugees, there are a myriad of reasons to get involved with refugee relief and aid the effort to support forcibly displaced and stateless people abroad. From providing vital skills to gaining a greater understanding of the global refugee crisis, here are some of the top reasons to volunteer with refugees in 2024:
1. The refugee crisis is worsening
It has been predicted that the refugee crisis will worsen in the year 2024. According to UNHCR, the number of forcibly displaced people is expected to grow to over 130 million.
As we face an urgent climate emergency, a growing number of global conflicts, and widespread humanitarian crises, record numbers of people are being forced to leave their homes in search of safety. With an increasingly dire refugee crisis, international volunteers are needed more than ever.
2. The refugee crisis is underfunded
According to UNHCR, only 32% of their global budget was covered in 2023. With a lack of funding to provide essential aid to displaced people in many parts of the world, refugee organizations are calling for international support.
Some places where support is most needed include Bangladesh, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Lebanon. Volunteering abroad can help relieve some of the difficulties refugee camps are currently experiencing.
3. You will be performing essential duties
One of the most important reasons to volunteer with refugees is to carry out essential duties at refugee camps. Some of these duties may include distributing food, teaching language classes, connecting refugees with legal services, or organizing social activities. With the huge responsibility shouldered by refugee camps, many rely on the support of volunteers to make sure that the physical and emotional needs of refugees are being met.
4. You will build meaningful connections
Your experience volunteering will build your empathy.
When people flee their homes during political and environmental emergencies, many have to leave family and friends behind. Volunteers are in a unique position to build meaningful connections with refugees as they deal with an incredibly difficult situation in an uncomfortable environment. Due to the emotional and volatile nature of the job, you will most likely create strong bonds with other volunteers at the refugee camps.
5. You will gain empathy
Large-scale global issues are often reduced to statistics and news headlines. Experiencing the refugee crisis firsthand will allow you to develop a deeper level of empathy for the hardships faced by those who are forced to leave their countries and homes. This empathy will stay with you long after you finish your volunteer program and impact the way you view the world and refugee relief.
6. You will have the opportunity to volunteer your specific skills
The people best suited to volunteer abroad for refugee relief are those who have relevant skills to offer refugee centers and displaced people. Some of the most important areas of aid include language instruction, law, health care, and psychology. If you are an expert in any of these sectors, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact wherever you choose to volunteer.
7. You can help with administrative tasks
While many volunteers help with the day-to-day functions of refugee camps, you may be able to assist with administrative tasks. This may include fundraising, communications, and logistical issues. If you have experience working in an office, organizing schedules, or volunteering for NGOs, many of these skills will be transferable to helping with the administration of a refugee camp.
8. You will help refugees integrate into their new countries
If you have specialist skills, you can put them to good use supporting refugees.
Volunteers often receive training to help refugees integrate into a new country. This can include support with learning the local language, applying for visas, searching for a job, and finding a place to live.
Refugees are forced to navigate life in a foreign country, often without the support of the government. One of the best reasons to volunteer with refugees is to make the process seem easier and less daunting.
9. You will provide a level of normalcy
Volunteers can provide some normalcy in a scary and uncertain situation. You may be asked to organize social events to bring people together. Some events may include arts and crafts, dancing, or sports. These activities can be extremely helpful in lifting the spirits of both children and adults and bringing joy to refugee camps.
10. You will provide important emotional support
One of the most important things a volunteer can do is provide emotional support to refugees. The combined trauma of conflicts faced at home, difficulties experienced in leaving one’s country behind, and tribulations undergone when crossing a border may leave people in a difficult mental state when they arrive at a refugee camp.
If you are a specialist in trauma care, PTSD, or child psychology, you may be especially suited to care for the emotional needs of displaced people.
11. You will gain a deeper understanding of the global refugee crisis
While you can study the global refugee crisis in a classroom, volunteering for refugee relief is the best education you can receive on what is happening on the ground.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in areas like humanitarian aid, conflict resolution, or immigration law, volunteering at a refugee camp is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of the refugee crisis. In addition, these personal experiences will provide a level of humanity to your education.
12. You will become an advocate for refugees back home
Why volunteer with refugees? Because you’re going to make a real difference.
With an emotional connection to the refugee crisis, international volunteers often become passionate advocates for refugees when they return home. The refugee crisis desperately needs the support of the global community. By sharing your experiences, you can inspire people to donate vital funds and consider the refugee crisis when choosing which political candidates to support.
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3 opportunities to work with refugees
If you know that you want to volunteer with refugees, you might be wondering where you should go. Numerous programs will place you in a volunteer position and provide adequate training for your role. These are three incredible programs that will allow you to make a meaningful impact on refugee relief throughout the world:
1. Support Ukrainian Refugees in Moldova
- Why? As a United Planet volunteer, you will provide essential support to the large number of Ukrainian refugees in Moldova. Program participants have the choice of working in their Overnight Nonprofit Shelter and Support Center, Refugee Day Support Center, Refugee and Asylum Seeker Center, or Government-run Refugee Shelter.
- Where? Chișinău, Moldova
- Read United Planet reviews
2. Human Rights Internship in South Africa
- Why? Join Roots Interns’ human rights program and support the crucial task of providing legal aid to refugees in Cape Town. As an advocacy volunteer in the Scalabrini Center of Cape Town, you will assist migrants with legal advice and asylum applications. You will also be responsible for documenting xenophobia and performing important research for the center.
- Where? Cape Town, South Africa
- Read Roots Interns reviews
3. Educational Support for Refugees in Turkey
- Why? Empower refugees in Turkey by volunteering with students in local schools in Istanbul. Love Volunteers participants work with refugee children aged between 5 to 16 years old in areas like art, music, science, and drama. As an education volunteer, you will participate in a meaningful cultural exchange and support an initiative to improve refugee children’s futures.
- Where? Istanbul, Turkey
- Read Love Volunteers reviews
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Make a meaningful and tangible difference in real people’s lives
Now that you know why you should volunteer with refugees, you can begin applying to programs. As the world continues to face persecution, global conflict, civil war, and natural disasters, the refugee crisis will need volunteers to support the influx of refugees throughout the globe.
While there are a myriad of programs searching for volunteers, remember to do your research and find the place where your skills are most needed. With all of these things in mind, you can prepare to make a meaningful difference for refugees abroad.
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