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Life, Community and Poverty in Al-Qalamoun

Poverty in Al-QalamounIn a small region in Lebanon, between the mountains and the sea, lies the town of Al-Qalamoun. Al-Qalamoun is located in northern Lebanon, in the Tripoli district of the North Governorate. It is home to around 4,000 Lebanese citizens and also welcomes refugees from Syria and Palestine.

The town’s supportiveness is discussed in The Borgen Project’s interview with one of the town’s most famous women, who noted that Al-Qalamoun is very hospitable. She also described life in the town, touching on poverty, its consequences and especially the supportive community of Al-Qalamoun.

Poverty in Al-Qalamoun

There have been some changes in this town over the last few years that continue to the present. Education is no longer given the same value it once was. A witness to this change states that the level of public schools has decreased. Before, only a few parents placed their children in private schools, while the rest trusted public schools. They all cared about guaranteeing a good education for their children.

However, in this modern age, parents struggle to afford the fees to enroll their children in private schools. This has demotivated some parents and led them to neglect the importance of education. This poses a threat to the future of the town’s new generation. The possible future of this is intertwined with the town’s job market. 

According to Baynetna Media, the job market is in a “deep crisis.” There are many jobless people despite the town’s large potential. Jobs could be created due to the rich harvest linked to olives, oranges and floral water. However, many young adults did not attend college and therefore have not acquired a high level of education. 

The interviewee explains how this disrupts the marriage market: “Poverty affects the marriage market.” Interestingly, although the town is quite populated, the number of marriages is diminishing. As some families are more impoverished than others, some young adults in Lebanon do not have a clear career path. Especially in this town, they either travel to another country to work in a clothing store or a restaurant or they do not work at all. This leads some of them to grow up with no prospects and, thus, no marriage potential. The lack of education leaves them unable to secure a job.

Baynetna Media highlights that the youth are most affected by the Lebanese labor market. Additionally, the instability of the Lebanese dollar rate plays a significant role in poverty. This prompts people living in urban areas like Al-Qalamoun to “rely on informal and casual employment” to stay afloat. Studies show that “The Lebanese pound ranks as the weakest currency in the world in 2026.” Therefore, even employed citizens suffer from the country’s fragile economy.

An Attempt To Prevent Poverty in Al-Qalamoun

The issue in Al-Qalamoun is a scarcity of jobs in the town itself. Therefore, people seek jobs outside the town. An expert on the town explains, “Money is being spent while making money.” In other words, people spend money on gas or other necessities to work outside the town. However, despite the challenges of finding a job, this does not mean the town’s residents are divided. 

On the contrary, whenever people are made aware of who is in need, they immediately raise awareness. This is done through a WhatsApp channel created for residents, of which all are part. Through this channel, announcements are published and whoever has the capacity to help does so. Additionally, the interviewee expressed how proud she is of the medical community, especially the Red Cross. 

She explained that back in the day, when her mother needed help, they would have to wait for ages. However, nowadays, the Red Cross is very active in Al-Qalamoun. The Lebanese Red Cross is highly significant, as it helps citizens with whatever emergencies they are facing. It makes every effort to help in times of crisis.

Furthermore, there is a significant community group that distributes food every month called the Ibad Al Rahman Association. It is reliable and of great help to people in need. In addition, it is especially active during the holidays. Another example of the stable aid available in this town is the money sent by relatives living abroad. 

In Lebanon, people who travel abroad often try their best to provide their families back home with as much financial help as they can. As a result, in Al-Qalamoun, a significant portion of the support provided comes from individuals who no longer reside in the area. They try to lessen the financial burden of their loved ones. 

The town of Al-Qalamoun is itself an underserved region, in that much of its funding comes from outside. However, that does not mean it is declining. In reality, the support offered by these communities and relatives abroad helps the town’s residents stay afloat.

Moving Forward

Al-Qalamoun is built on a community full of love and support. This support comes from inside and outside the town, showing the impact of its generous and welcoming residents. The interviewee, who has lived there her whole life, offers insight into what poverty looks like in Al-Qalamoun. However, despite the turmoil in Lebanese lives, no one gives up on one another. Together, the town’s residents make sure no one is left behind as they work to ease the financial burden on people’s backs. 

– Lara Ibrahim

Lara is based in Créteil, France and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia

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School Meals and Refugee Education in Chad

Refugee Education in ChadIn Chad, education is the path to a more stable future free of long-term hardship, yet millions of children remain out of school. Education Cannot Wait announced a $20 million grant in December 2024 to extend its multi-year resilience program in Chad, following a report that at least 3.2 million children and adolescents were absent from the classroom. This funding is expected to reach 66,000 crisis-affected learners.

That matters in a country where issues such as conflict spillover, climate shocks and poverty continue to disrupt education. School meals and refugee education in Chad are essential because food support and classroom access can work together during emergencies.

The Crisis in Eastern Chad

The pressure has only intensified since war broke out in neighboring Sudan in April 2023. The World Food Programme (WFP) says the Central African country now hosts 1.5 million refugees. They include 900,000 people who immigrated from Sudan, putting greater strain on communities that were already experiencing immense poverty and food insecurity.

In eastern Chad, UNICEF reported in April 2026 that 900,000 children were not registered in an educational institution. The same report said nearly 300,000 refugee children in the east were not receiving any schooling.

Why School Meals Matter

School meals are one of the clearest tools helping children stay in class. WFP says its emergency response to this problem included providing school meals for more than 125,000 children in refugee-hosting areas in 2025. It also supports home-grown school feeding programs that connect schools with local farmers so children can consume locally sourced meals while rural producers gain a market for their crops. 

According to WFP, this approach has already improved nutrition and school attendance outcomes for more than 110,000 children. In a crisis setting, a meal at school helps improve learning and household food security.

Education Support Beyond Food

Education support is also expanding beyond meals. Education Cannot Wait says more than 40% of the 66,600 children targeted through its new grant will be refugees. The program will also train more than 1,500 teachers in pedagogy, psychosocial support and risk reduction. 

This broader work strengthens school meals and refugee education by combining food assistance with improved classroom support. This is important, since Chad not only needs more students attending school, but it also requires schools that can handle displacement and overcrowding. UNICEF says eastern Chad still needs about 5,000 temporary learning spaces and 10,000 latrines to meet minimum standards.

A Positive Path Forward

These efforts are particularly important for girls. In its 2024–2028 Chad country strategic plan, WFP said that increasing home-grown school feeding can help improve nutrition and health while also keeping girls in school. UNICEF’s report on eastern Chad states that without enough education support, 70,000 children, including refugees, returnees and those from host communities, could miss school days or drop out. 

This raises the risk of child labor and child marriage. In this situation, school meals do more than tackle hunger. They help safeguard children’s futures.

Closing Remarks

School meals and refugee education in Chad are deeply connected. Food support helps children show up in class and stay enrolled, while new education funding helps schools respond to crises more effectively. Despite this, Chad still faces a major gap. 

However, active programs from WFP, UNICEF and Education Cannot Wait show that investments can keep more children in school. If those efforts continue to expand, they could strengthen educational access and long-term resilience for families across the country.

– Ashirah Newton 

Ashirah is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Between Borders: The Calais Refugee Camps

Calais Refugee CampsThe French refugee crisis erupted over a decade ago. However, the reality is that France, and Calais especially, is still receiving hundreds of refugee arrivals, and these asylum seekers are still in need of help. There have been people living in or around the outskirts of Calais since the 1990s, the number of whom caused the Red Cross to open the first official welcome center in a neighboring town in 1999. Despite its closure after three years, informal settlements never went away.

These makeshift Calais refugee camps became known as the Jungle, which was formed by hundreds of discarded tents and shelters to accommodate displaced victims of conflict and poverty. This too was evacuated by the French authorities in 2009. When the refugee crisis intensified in 2015, another Jungle emerged, and by the end of the year, there were approximately 4,500 refugees living in Calais. Currently, this figure stands at an estimated 1o,000. The situation is improving, but the work is not yet done.

A Short History of the Jungle

The Calais refugee camps have a turbulent history, being flooded with arrivals, then being bulldozed and evacuated, before re-emerging. Starting as a government-controlled space, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and charities became increasingly involved, such as Refugee Rights. The NGO Help Refugees conducted a census in February 2016, which found that the Calais refugee camps were home to 5,497 residents, including 651 children, more than 400 of whom were unaccompanied. By November of the same year, violence had broken out within the camps as refugees began to be evicted.

In October 2018, two years after the demolition of the Jungle, Refugee Rights returned to Calais to examine the condition and status quo of the refugees, finding that mental health had declined and the atmosphere was one of exhaustion, despite the sustained efforts of volunteers.

There have been studies and reports, such as a 2018 Cambridge Review of International Affairs study, investigating the balance of governmental and charity-based involvement in handling the ongoing refugee crisis. Such reports ask whether the government should be doing more, such as taking on sole responsibility for search and rescue (SAR) operations. Data and field research from organizations like Refugee Rights demonstrate that something needs to change.

An Inside Perspective

This cycle has replayed multiple times over the last 10 years in the camps of Calais. To better understand how this repetition can be ended and the status quo for refugees can be altered, The Borgen Project interviewed an individual who worked at the Calais refugee camps from 2023 to 2024.

The Borgen Project’s source, who wishes to remain anonymous for professional reasons, worked both in the Calais refugee camps and in the U.K. with an involved charity. For the purposes of anonymity, this individual is referred to as W.

W described the atmosphere of the camps: “The sense of desperation is palpable and grew with the increasing hostility of the political environment even in the short time I spent there. During my stay in the winter, the weather conditions were brutal, promising frostbite, trench foot and many sleepless nights in the freezing cold.” W added that during the time spent volunteering in Calais, five people lost their lives at the border.

However, W continued: “In stark contrast to all the misery in Calais is so much hope and here, hope is more than just a feeling, it is a survival skill. I was struck repeatedly by the resilience and positivity of the communities I met and even on the worst days, there were beautiful moments. A South Sudanese dance party. An Arabic lesson in exchange for an English one. The offer of breakfast around a camping stove.”

There is often a focus on the desperation of refugee situations, but less so on hope and joy. Having an insight into the glimpses of community and happiness is not a reduction of the struggle of displacement, but evidence of the effect charitable aid can have on people’s lives, be that food, shelter, legal advice or companionship. This is exactly the work Red Cross provides to the Calais camps, with a project that functions across three main services: supporting unaccompanied children, providing health care and reuniting families.

The Language of Asylum

Language has become a weighted topic in today’s climate, with extensive debates over connotations, etymology and underlying meanings. The language surrounding refugees and the Calais refugee camps has been scrutinized over time. When asked about the term “Jungle,” W stated: “The term ‘Jungle’ was used by its inhabitants, voluntary workers and media alike, but during my time there, very few people used the term.” W added: “Although we now refer to them as ‘camps,’ there are no official camps in Calais or Dunkirk, only unauthorized, illegal settlements.”

As recently as 2020, videos and photos have been released of capsized boats carrying refugees to Europe’s shores, prompting dismissive responses from some audiences. Despite language becoming more carefully considered in public discourse, there is still a pervasive sense of indignation toward refugees seeking shelter and protection from conflict in their home countries.

Female Refugees in Calais

In 2019, the number of displaced people worldwide was estimated at 79.5 million, and in the same year, the number of refugees in the EU was 6,570,500. Almost 50% of them were women. Rates of underage or forced marriage and sex trafficking rise in times of conflict and poverty, making women one of the most vulnerable demographics. This is supported by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognizes that girls and women are disproportionately affected by armed conflicts. According to U.N. data, at least one in five female refugees or displaced women has experienced sexual violence. A World Health Organization (WHO) report acknowledges the same, but does not account for undocumented immigrants, thus underestimating the magnitude of the issue.

When asked about women’s experience, W answered: “There are relatively few female refugees in Calais. The vast majority were men and many were unaccompanied minors aged 13-17, often risking their lives on the dangerous journeys in hopes of providing their families with a safer route. For example, Libya is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for sex trafficking, so for refugees coming to Europe from countries like Sudan and Eritrea, it is rare for men to bring their wives and children with them. Nonetheless, there is a small presence of women and children.”

The gender imbalance in Calais demonstrates the persistent demand for more representation and female-directed aid in these situations.

A Look Toward the Future

The Calais refugee camps are not a thing of the past, and though media representation may have dwindled, charitable aid persists. Care4Calais works both in the camps and in the U.K. to offer field support and organize food, clothing and supply packages to refugees, visiting sites twice a week to deliver direct aid, charge phones and bring hot tea, food and firewood, as well as engaging in social activities with them.

According to W, companionship plays an important role in supporting the refugees in Calais. W shared that communication often happened without words due to language barriers: “One day, I played Connect 4 with a Sudanese man for hours. We didn’t exchange more than a handful of words, but it was nonetheless a mutually meaningful experience.”

Another NGO, Safe Passage, has been present in Calais since 2016, providing legal aid to help ensure stable futures for refugees. Since its establishment, Safe Passage has protected 3,500 children and reconnected them with their families, granted 260 visas, overturned five anti-refugee policies and trained more than 260 individuals to continue legal advising for future refugees.

With the dedication and support of NGOs in collaboration with governments, places like the Calais refugee camps can become better-supported spaces for displaced people. Organizations such as Red Cross, Care4Calais and Safe Passage continue to demonstrate that sustained charitable and legal support makes a measurable difference in the lives of those who have fled conflict and poverty.

– Jaya Noonan

Jaya Noonan is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Higher Education in Greece Addresses Local and Refugee Poverty

Higher Education in GreeceIn the wake of one of the worst economic crises in European history, Greece suffers the fourth worst national poverty rate in the continent, ahead of only Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania. With 26.9% of the Greek population at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024, these economic setbacks have also begun to bleed into the education system. Greece shares one of the worst literacy rates in Europe, at only 94% among its adult and youth population in 2026, despite boasting one of the continent’s highest secondary-education completion rates.

Regardless of these challenges, however, higher education in Greece remains key in battling poverty and unemployment rates, with a degree or post-secondary qualification halving the unemployment rate from 24% to 12%, which in turn reduces the poverty rate from nearly 27% to 10.7%. Higher education in Greece traditionally takes the form of university education, however, since joining the European Economic Community in 1981, the country has taken steps to provide free adult education and training, in order to improve the skills of the general workforce beyond formal education. It is therefore of paramount importance to ensure as many students as possible in Greece remain within the education system, ensuring higher wages, increased literacy rates and a better quality of life.

Education and the Greek Economy

While Greece falls to the bottom of all Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in education spending per post-secondary student, at around $5,620 USD compared to the median spend of $20,234, public funding still accounts for more than 78% of higher education spending in the country.

This means that while the state contributes the appropriate proportion of funds to tertiary education, it simply can’t provide the necessary financial support for universities and educational facilities to fund necessary reforms for higher education. As a result, the higher education system suffers from complexities such as delays in qualification completions and students being pushed into studying abroad.

NGOs such as American Councils Greece and the Elix Programs are supporting these issues, promoting exchange programs and volunteering in education, environmental protection and social exclusion, in order to provide opportunities for education and qualifications outside of financial constraints.

Importantly, Greece remains in significant debt to fellow European nations, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, which offered bailouts throughout the economic crisis in order to stabilize the Greek economy. While Greece is making remarkable bounds in recovering these debts, the work of foundations and NGOs in providing accessible education is crucial in these debts being repaid. As citizens gain qualifications to enter well-paying jobs, the economy is rebuilt and vital public spending can go towards helping those at risk of poverty and social exclusion.

Refugee Education

Greece houses approximately 50,000 refugees, the vast majority of whom live below the poverty line, with its geographical location making it the primary entry point for those fleeing conflict and poor living conditions in the Middle East and Northeast Africa. With current laws in neighboring countries no longer allowing these refugees to travel further into Europe, most remain in and integrate into the country and its cultures. This includes the education system, where all children, including refugees, are required to enter compulsory education until they are 15.

However, these statistics don’t account for the approximately 15,000 refugees held on small islands as a result of the EU-Turkey migration deal, with very limited opportunities for formal education. In these circumstances, organizations such as Action for Education and the All Children in Education programme, which has reached more than 25,000 migrant children since 2021, are paramount to providing centers for education up to 23 years old, teaching local languages, relevant skills and trades, as well as providing important safeguarding measures for vulnerable people.

Once refugees have graduated Lyceum (lower secondary), they are able to sit the same examinations as locals in order to enter universities or higher technological institutions. However, for those who have completed secondary education in other countries, there are no special provisions granted for refugees to enter higher education in Greece. This is where the work of private agencies and NGOs, who provide educational services for adults, becomes so important. RefugeeEd provides English and Greek language courses for both children and adults, breaking down barriers of communication and integration and providing key opportunities for refugees to enter higher education or formal jobs. Since 2021, RefugeeEd has trained 46 community teachers and reached more than 200 students across six locations in mainland Greece and its surrounding islands.

How Higher Education Is Battling Poverty

Public and private organizations are working to improve access to higher education for both Greek nationals and refugees. This is battling poverty by addressing the country’s income inequality, providing higher returns in lower-paying, non-skilled jobs, as well as increasing the rate of citizens returning to education after initially graduating from compulsory schooling.

The role that higher education in Greece has played in addressing income redistribution is incredibly important and has become far more accessible through the valuable work that the NGOs named in this article are doing, as well as many more who continue to do invaluable work. Statistics suggest Greece’s poverty rates are gradually coming down, as their debts decrease and surpluses rise. As time goes on, Greece will transition into a far more sustainable model of public investment, allowing them to tackle poverty, immigration and education as efficiently as possible.

– Jake Crapper

Jake is based in Leeds, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Sudan Refugee Crisis Response Amid Famine and War

Sudan Refugee Crisis Response Amid Famine and War Sudan has been facing large-scale displacement since its civil war began in 2023. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has forced millions of Sudanese to leave their country. The current displacement total is estimated at 11 million people, and the death toll is estimated at about 400,000. Sudanese displacement numbers currently surpass those of other global conflicts. For example, the conflict in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, has displaced around 6 million people. In addition to millions of Sudanese losing their homes, this displacement is causing widespread famine, poverty, lack of access to medical care and telecommunications blackouts. These issues highlight why the Sudan refugee crisis response needs attention.

Even with the high displacement numbers, there is no current sign of a peace deal that would end the conflict. Displaced Sudanese are fleeing to overwhelmed refugee camps in nearby countries such as Chad, Ethiopia and South Sudan. Organizations and governments are working to accelerate the Sudan refugee crisis response to meet growing demand.

Intervention by Nonprofit Organizations

Because of the conditions in Sudan, a number of nonprofit groups such as the United Nations Crisis Relief, Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children are in the area providing resources. Because of the growing famine, groups are prioritizing food access. For example, Save the Children is providing food, water, shelter and medical services that reach 224,000 Sudanese. While this is already a large number, many more are in need of services.  

Proposed Response Efforts

Sudan has experienced conflict in recent decades, including the Darfur War in 2003. Adding resources to the area is considered a strong investment because this is not the first period of displacement that Sudanese people have experienced. Building significant infrastructure in the region would help sustain responses to future crises. From there, governments and nonprofit groups could focus on long-term stability rather than immediate nutrition and medical needs.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has developed a strategy it believes will best support the Sudan refugee crisis response. According to the UNHCR, there needs to be a focus on keeping borders open across seven countries to support asylum seekers. The U.N. and various nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) will then implement resources for displaced populations. This will include increased food access, medical care, expanded agriculture, general education and vocational education programs. To establish these programs without straining neighboring countries, the UNHCR has stated that a large investment must be made.

A Way Forward

The largest obstacle is the proposed budget for relief. The UNHCR estimates a need of $907 million to make this plan work. Because the number of displaced people is so large and issues like famine require quick action, significant resources are necessary. The most urgent needs, such as addressing famine, will be addressed with available and incoming resources, while funds can be raised for additional programs.

– Nicole Miller

Nicole is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Job Training for Refugees in Turkey Strengthens Communities

Job Training for Refugees in TurkeyTurkey hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world, with more than 3 million registered Syrian refugees, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency. Economic pressures have made access to stable employment difficult for many displaced individuals and vulnerable citizens alike. In response, job training for refugees in Turkey has become a strategy to strengthen livelihoods while promoting shared economic participation.

Many refugees in Turkey face significant barriers when they try to enter the formal labor market, including limited access to certified vocational training, challenges with skills recognition and work permit requirements. The International Labor Organization (ILO) reports that regulatory and structural obstacles push many refugees into informal employment, increasing their vulnerability and limiting long-term stability. At the same time, rising inflation and labor market instability have placed growing economic pressure on Turkish citizens, particularly workers in lower-income sectors. In response, policymakers and development organizations design programs that align vocational training with employer demand and encourage businesses to hire workers formally.

Aligning Skills With Industry Demand

From November 2022 to January 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) implemented a workforce initiative focused on Turkey’s textile sector. The project aimed to expand employment pathways for Syrian refugees and members of host communities through targeted vocational training.

The initiative, titled “Decent and Sustainable Job Opportunities for Refugees and Host Communities in the Turkish Textile Sector,” aligned training directly with labor market needs. Turkey’s textile industry remains one of the country’s major export sectors and a significant source of employment across manufacturing and supply chains. The Government of the Republic of Korea funded the project with $178,620. In 2023 alone, the program directed $131,522 toward training and implementation activities.

Rather than offering generalized training, the program developed sector-specific curricula in collaboration with textile industry partners to address identified labor market needs. It provided on-the-job training at employer premises, strengthening participants’ practical skills and increasing their chances of securing formal, sustainable employment. By working closely with private-sector actors, the project connected skills development directly to hiring pathways.

Promoting Shared Economic Participation

The project targeted both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Turkish citizens, aiming to strengthen social cohesion by expanding access to vocational training and formal employment pathways.

Access to formal employment plays a key role in economic stability. Formal jobs often provide regulated wages, safer working conditions and access to social protection systems. For displaced individuals, stable employment can reduce reliance on informal labor markets, which frequently offer inconsistent income and limited worker protections.

In addition to UNDP’s textile sector initiative, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has implemented broader employment and vocational training programs to improve refugees’ access to formal labor markets in Turkey. The ILO works with government institutions, employers and worker organizations to expand skills development, promote formal hiring and strengthen labor market governance.

Economic Integration and Long-Term Impact

The World Bank emphasizes that integrating refugees into labor markets can contribute to long-term economic growth when programs align skills development with employer demand. Workforce initiatives that connect vocational education to employer needs can reduce reliance on short-term assistance while strengthening national economies.

Beyond employment-focused initiatives, international agencies have also invested in strengthening the textile sector itself. The United Nations Environment Programme’s InTex Programme trained 230 industry representatives and supported 32 small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting eco-innovation and circular production practices in its first phase. By building technical capacity within the textile value chain, such programs demonstrate how skills development can improve both environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness in refugee-hosting countries.

Employment programs are increasingly recognized as a key component of refugee response strategies. International development agencies note that long-term displacement requires economic solutions that move beyond short-term humanitarian assistance. When refugees gain access to skills training and formal employment, they contribute to local consumption, industrial productivity and broader economic activity. Host countries may also benefit from addressing labor shortages in specific sectors.

Concluding Thoughts

The UNDP textile sector project concluded in January 2025 after completing its planned activities. By combining targeted skills training, industry partnerships and inclusive enrollment, the initiative demonstrated how job training for refugees in Turkey can contribute to poverty reduction, economic resilience and shared prosperity in refugee-hosting countries.

– Isil Ertas Senturk

Isil is based in Oakville, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Thailand Is Granting Myanmar Refugees Access to Employment

Myanmar Refugees Access to EmploymentThailand has enacted a policy granting Myanmar refugees living in border camps access to employment. Reuters reports that this policy shift will grant 80,000 refugees the right to work; many of them have been living at these border camps for 40 years. According to UNHCR, around 47% of refugees were born in these shelters.

Background

A violent military regime drove the refugees out of Myanmar. Since then, they have been living in nine camps spread across the Thai border and have been completely dependent upon foreign aid. A diminishing foreign aid budget, particularly from the United States, has contributed to this decision.

According to Léon De Riedtmatten, executive director of the Border Consortium (TBC), the United States was one of the largest donors to the refugee camps. The TBC is one of the largest suppliers of food to the camps. The current administration has significantly reduced the overseas budget this year, which has, in turn, forced the TBC to provide aid only to the most vulnerable. According to De Riedmatten, Thai officials knew that no other government would be willing to support as much as the United States would.

As a result, Thai officials approved employment access for Myanmar refugees to reduce labor shortages and protect human rights. Cambodian workers leaving the labor force following an armed conflict at the border also influenced this policy change.

Economic Impacts

Tammi Sharpe, a UNHCR representative, has emphasized this development as a turning point. According to Sharpe, “With this policy shift, Thailand transforms hosting refugees into an engine of growth – for refugees, for host communities and for the nation as a whole.” She further confirms that providing employment access to Myanmar refugees benefits both Thailand and the refugees themselves.

Refugees will have the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families while also stimulating the Thai economy. Job growth is expected to increase as thousands of Myanmar refugees join the workforce and, in turn, the national GDP is also projected to rise. This marks a positive step toward poverty reduction.

As more refugees gain employment, dependence on aid is expected to decrease, while social mobility improves. Sharpe explained that the UNHCR has partnered with the World Bank to analyze economic data tracking how refugees are entering and participating in the formal job market. Humanitarian organizations also hope to expand employment access for refugees living outside the camps.

Conclusion

Granting Myanmar refugees access to employment marks a turning point in their relationship with Thailand. It will serve as a mutually beneficial process; Myanmar refugees will receive the means to support themselves and increase their standard of living, while the Thai economy will experience a boost in job growth and GNP. Poverty will diminish directly for the refugees and indirectly over time for people living in Thailand via systemic change. Overall, this policy change provides a hopeful trajectory for the country’s economic future.

– Sasha Banaei

Sasha is based in San Diego, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Migration to Lebanon: How Poverty Reshapes a Country in Crisis

Migration to LebanonLebanon has a long history as a migrant-sending country, with large Lebanese diaspora communities established worldwide. However, the country’s ability to host newcomers has been weakened by a deep and prolonged economic and social collapse. Today, migration to and movement within and from Lebanon cannot be understood without accounting for poverty. Poverty has skyrocketed among Lebanese households, with an estimated 44% of the population being affected in 2024, tripling in the last decade.

Who Is Migrating to and Within Lebanon?

  • Refugees: Migration to Lebanon, since 2011, has been dominated by people fleeing the Syrian civil war. The proximity of Lebanon to Syria makes it a primary destination for migration. At their peak, the number of Syrians in Lebanon reached more than one million, which is equivalent to a very large share of Lebanon’s total population. This means Lebanon has the highest per capita concentration of refugees globally 
  • Migrant workers: Lebanon is also a destination for migrant laborers, particularly domestic workers, live-in helpers and other low-wage laborers from countries like Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Sudan and many others. These individuals typically move for economic reasons, as jobs abroad may offer higher wages than at home, even though conditions in Lebanon are precarious and the country’s own economic collapse has made many migrant workers extremely vulnerable. A 2024 report estimates that more than 11,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Lebanon are of non-Lebanese nationalities, including Iraqi, Sudanese and Ethiopian.
  • Lebanese returnees: Many Lebanese returnees are members of the diaspora, people who emigrated during and after the civil war (1975-1990) and later in subsequent waves of economic and political crisis. A 2019 study tracing the return of 200 Lebanese returnees found that most people had previously lived in Saudi Arabia, France, Sierra Leone, the Ivory Coast, Canada, Togo, the USA, Dubai, Kuwait, Australia and Venezuela. The study found that significant reasons for returning include family life, family reunification, to invest in Lebanon, better job opportunities, improved lifestyle and due to children.

Life in Lebanon for Migrants

Refugees typically rely on informal work, casual labor and even child labor due to the scarcity of formal work. Because of poverty, survival work dominates rather than stable jobs. Sectors of work can include agriculture (especially in Bekaa and Akkar), day labor, construction, small trade and domestic work. This is often under precarious terms, as there are weak legal protections.

Due to domestic workers being excluded from Lebanese Labor Laws, in many cases, migrant workers suffer abuses such as withheld pay, excessive working hours, confiscated passports, restriction of movements and lack of rest days. The deep economic crisis in Lebanon means public services like health, education and utilities are under severe strain, with refugees bearing a disproportionate burden. Up to nine in 10 Syrian refugees require humanitarian assistance to meet basic needs.

Refugees are often in competition with the host community for scarce public resources, which raises risks of social tension and divisions in communities.

The Good News

Despite the severe poverty facing both citizens and migrants in Lebanon, many projects are working to support communities and improve access to essential services. Numerous charities are raising funds for these efforts; for example, an initiative to build an orphanage and medical center in northern Lebanon has raised more than $100,000. This would provide a lifeline for children, offering a chance to heal, grow and prosper within the safety of a facility that cares.

The U.N. Refugee Agency also works tirelessly in Lebanon to provide shelter, legal aid, protection and cash assistance to people in need. This organization provides both temporary, life-saving support and sustainable, long-term solutions. It also facilitates activities that promote peacebuilding and social stability. In addition, it teaches basic literacy and numeracy skills to refugee children and helps older students access higher education opportunities.

– Abigail Gadsden

Abigail is based in Kent, UK and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Mindfulness Practices to Support Refugees in Conflict and Poverty

Mindfulness Practices to Support Refugees in Conflict and PovertyAs of late 2024, there are more than 40 million refugees worldwide. Many live in high-poverty, conflict-affected environments where well-being is undermined by high rates of trauma, depression, anxiety and stress. These challenges are worsened by limited access to food, housing and economic resources. Structured mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and mindfulness practices—such as meditation, yoga, art therapy, walking and sitting—are cost-effective ways to improve well-being and reduce trauma’s long-term effects. Global nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and mental health organizations are implementing these approaches to support the health of displaced populations.

Refugee Mental Health Challenges

Several factors undermine refugees’ mental health:

  • Poverty
  • Discrimination
  • Family separation
  • Unsafe environments
  • Loss of social networks
  • Limited resources

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in five individuals affected by conflict will experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Refugee aid bases are often congested, which can increase stress for individuals who do not receive clear information on where to access essential resources. Services are further strained by staff shortages, insufficient medication and inadequate training for emergency responders.

Mindfulness Practices to Support Refugees

Mindfulness practices—including meditation, breathing exercises, art therapy, yoga and mindful walking—support refugees by regulating emotions, reducing stress and building resilience. Trauma-sensitive mindfulness (TSM) allows refugees to observe difficult emotions without becoming overwhelmed.

  • Breathing practices provide immediate tools for grounding during anxiety.
  • Art therapy offers a nonverbal outlet for refugees facing language barriers.
  • Yoga and mindful walking reconnect body and mind to restore safety and presence.
  • Meditation, which focuses attention on a single object such as the breath, helps complete the stress cycle and release stored trauma.

Together, these low-cost, culturally adapted practices offer accessible healing for displaced communities.

Evidence of Impact

Mindfulness practices foster self-compassion and build long-term resilience, which are vital for refugees who often live with chronic insecurity and displacement. Programs run by NGOs and community organizations show measurable benefits:

  • Mindfulness Across Borders supports Syrian and Afghan women and children in the Idomeni camp in northern Greece.
  • Meditation Without Borders runs meditation programs in Rwanda in partnership with local women’s organizations.
  • Reaching Across Borders delivers community-based services in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon.
  • The Observing Minds Lab adapts trauma recovery programs for refugees in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America.

These initiatives demonstrate that mindfulness reduces post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety while improving overall well-being. Aid workers trained in mindfulness also report less burnout and greater capacity to support traumatized populations.

Looking Ahead

Refugees face immense mental health burdens, but mindfulness practices and interventions offer scalable, evidence-based tools to reduce trauma and improve well-being. Stronger funding and policy support can expand these programs, helping build resilience and stability for millions of displaced people around the world.

– Miranda Yacynych

Miranda is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Providing Health Care to Refugees in Border Countries

Health Care to RefugeesJordan is one of the world’s largest refugee-hosting countries relative to population. It shelters more than 3 million migrants and refugees, including more than 1.3 million Syrians, along with Iraqis, Palestinians, Yemenis and others. This influx has placed considerable strain on Jordan’s national health system, which must balance the needs of citizens with those of displaced populations. The challenge has grown increasingly political, raising questions of equity, inclusion and national identity.

Policy Evolution and the 2019 Reform

Jordan’s refugee health policy has evolved through a complex interplay of humanitarian priorities and national politics. Since 2012, the country’s Ministry of Health has collaborated with international partners, including UNHCR, WHO, UNICEF and bilateral donors, to integrate refugees into existing public health services, rather than establishing parallel systems. This model sought to ensure sustainability while maintaining the state’s control over its health infrastructure.

In April 2019, Jordan introduced a major policy change: Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR were permitted to access public health care at the “noninsured Jordanian rate,” effectively restoring access to government facilities after a period of reduced subsidies. This measure reflected an attempt to balance national cost constraints with humanitarian obligations and international diplomacy.

According to analyses by researchers, this decision was influenced by shifts in both domestic politics and global funding flows. Initial momentum for refugee inclusion, strong during the early years of the Syrian crisis, began to decline as fiscal pressures intensified and political attention shifted. Jordan’s leadership weighed the costs of long-term refugee care against concerns about public resentment and donor fatigue.

Donor Politics and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund

To sustain health-service delivery for refugees and vulnerable Jordanians, the government established the Jordan Response Plan (JRP) framework and a Health Sector Working Group. These bodies coordinate with the Jordan Health Fund for Refugees (JHFR), a multi-donor trust fund managed by the World Bank and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation. This mechanism pools donor contributions from the European Union (EU), Canada, Germany and other countries to support public health facilities that treat refugees.

The fund represents a hybrid model where humanitarian assistance and national systems converge, blurring traditional lines between emergency relief and development aid. Such arrangements also reveal how refugee health policy in border-host states is inherently political. International partners influence policy through funding priorities, while Jordan’s government uses refugee-health initiatives to strengthen diplomatic ties and demonstrate regional stability. Researchers argue that this dynamic reflects “policy integration by necessity,” a balancing act between sovereignty and donor expectations.

Equity and Inclusion in Practice

Despite the use of inclusive policy language, access remains uneven. Studies of Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Jordan show that health care equity depends heavily on legal status, registration and location. Refugees registered with UNHCR generally qualify for subsidized public health services. However, unregistered or urban refugees often face high out-of-pocket costs.

Research also finds that gender, chronic illness and camp residency shape who can obtain care. For example, while camp-based refugees may receive consistent primary care from NGOs, urban refugees struggle with costs for hospital care and medicines. The WHO’s 2023 review noted that health service utilization among refugees is constrained by both financial and administrative barriers, even where policies formally allow for inclusion.

This disparity underscores how refugee health is as much a political question of belonging as a technical challenge. When governments define access tiers by citizenship or registration, they reaffirm boundaries of national identity, determining who is seen as part of the social contract and who remains outside it.

Health Care as Diplomacy and Strategy

Jordan’s refugee health policy has also become a form of regional diplomacy. By maintaining access for Syrians and cooperating closely with international agencies, Jordan projects stability and reliability to donors and neighboring states. The World Bank and WHO both highlight Jordan as a leading example of a country “integrating refugees into national systems” within the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

This approach aligns humanitarian and strategic interests: providing health care prevents disease outbreaks, reduces social tensions and supports regional security. It also strengthens Jordan’s leverage in international negotiations, where hosting millions of refugees positions the country as a key partner for the West.

Lessons for Other Border-Host States

Jordan’s effort illustrates that refugee health policy is not solely a humanitarian issue but a political ecosystem involving ministries, donors and citizens. Effective inclusion relies on sound fiscal planning, effective diplomatic management and public trust. When handled strategically, as in Jordan’s integration model, health care for refugees can enhance both human security and state resilience.

For other border-hosting nations, the Jordanian case offers three takeaways:

  1. Integrate refugee care into existing national systems rather than creating separate structures.
  2. Align donor funding mechanisms with government priorities to ensure sustainability.
  3. Recognize that equitable access to health care reinforces social cohesion and prevents instability.

Providing health care to refugees, therefore, is not only a moral responsibility but also a strategic investment in regional peace and long-term system resilience.

– Clara Garza

Clara is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr