When you have everything in life-a loving family, a sustainable income, a home, friends, and ample resources, would you like to abandon everything to live in an unknown place in substandard conditions? Unfortunately, this has happened with the millions of people living as refugees across the world. Whether it is Syrians or Ukrainians, millions of people have had no choice but to flee their homes due to conditions beyond their control.
Main reasons for people becoming refugees
War- This is by far the biggest reason for people becoming refugees. No matter what we believe, the truth is conflict from any side, whether internal or external, results in people becoming refugees. We all know how the conflict in Ukraine has resulted in the mass exodus of millions of people to neighboring countries, even as the conflict refuses to die down. Persecution- Persecution in any form results in minorities leaving the country in droves. One prime example is the migration of the Muslim minority Rohingya people from Myanmar to other countries like Bangladesh and Thailand. These refugees face many challenges, it should be the government and nonprofits’ mission to help them live a respectable and self-sustaining life.
Hunger/Climate change- Across North Africa, prolonged drought has made it impossible to grow crops or raise livestock. As a result, more than 17 million people have left their homes to live in places with adequate resources, sometimes in a sprawling, informal refugee camp. With climate change raising average temperatures, the number of people fleeing drought and rising sea levels is only going to increase.
What challenges do refugees face?
Employment- Refugees are generally happy to do any kind of work they get. Despite them being highly skilled and educated, some refugees have to take on menial jobs as their certifications may not be recognized in the host country. As they are desperate for a job, employers take advantage of this and pay them lower salaries and assign them risky jobs.
Housing- Safe, spacious, and affordable housing is hard to come by. Refugees, who end up doing low-paying jobs, tend to live in small houses with large families. This results in a stressful environment that isn’t conducive to rest or study. Many are forced to live in apartments that do not even have the basic facilities, as they desperately need a roof over their head.
Assimilation- Many refugees may not know English or the host country’s language. Besides that, the food, culture, and way of life may not be familiar with what they experience at home. The children may have difficulties coping with their studies and they may not be able to gel in with the locals as expected.
What can we do to help refugees?
It is very difficult for refugees to assimilate into the local population without help. Some of them need urgent medical help, while others need integration programs to help them understand the local ways of life.
For instance, Chesed Hope for humanity, an NGO by the Breath of the Spirit organization helps Syrian and Ukrainian refugees by providing them with aid, food, and guidance to help them live a self-sustaining life.You too could help such refugees live better life. Donate now to Breath of the Spirit and gain the immense blessings of the refugees and God.
