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Refugees in Norway: 10 Important Facts to Know

Norway RefugeesNorway is a country in Northern Europe that is home to about 5,196,000 people. It is not part of the European Union because of its strong economy. With the recent influx of refugees to Europe, Norway had to determine how to manage those coming into the country.

10 Facts About Refugees in Norway

  1. Out of all the countries that make up Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland), Norway has a stricter approach when it comes to accepting refugees. Norway attempted to pose limitations in several ways to thin the flow of refugees to the country.
  2. Some measures the government took to decrease the amount of refugees include deporting those who are deemed a threat to security, and building a steel fence to stop refugees from crossing the border.
  3. In 2015, Norway experienced a large increase in asylum-seekers. More than 30,000 refugees came to Norway, and more than half of them were Syrian. Norway refugees also consist of Iraqis, Afghans, Sudanese, Somalis and Eritreans. Currently, refugees represent 3.6 percent of the Norwegian population.
  4. Since 2016, Norway is building a steel fence at the Arctic border with Russia to keep out refugees. In 2015, 5,500 refugees used this border in order to cross over into Norway. The border fence will be 660 feet long and 11 feet high. The border fence was met with criticism from refugees’ rights groups, and it reflects the tension that exists between asylum-seekers and members of the Norwegian population.
  5. To get to Norway through the Arctic border, people seeking refuge used a legal loophole. Russian border police do not permit people to cross the border while walking, and Norwegian border police do not allow cars to come through unless the driver has proper paper identification. Therefore, refugees made the crossing by riding bicycles. Refugees who used this loophole are under threat of deportation.
  6. Norway refugees typically arrive through two methods: crossing the Mediterranean by boat or going through Russia.
  7. After the shocking amount of refugees that Norway received in 2015, it developed more stringent controls on their borders and ID checks. Norway also offered $2,300 to refugees who choose to return to their own countries. This made the number of asylum seekers in Norway drop by 95 percent.
  8. Refugees entering the country are required to take “culture coding classes.” If they do not attend these classes, their benefits are cut. These classes were set up after there were a number of rapes committed by refugees. The classes focus on topics like gender, consent, communicating with the opposite sex, boundaries, domestic violence and what to do if you witness a sexual assault. Although these classes were criticized for stigmatizing refugees, many refugees appear to react positively to the classes, seeing them as a way to ease their integration into Norwegian society and better understand the different cultural norms.
  9. Despite Norway’s restrictions on asylum seekers, the country is very generous with the aid it provides to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In fact, in 2016, it became the UNHCR’s largest donor per capita and the seventh largest donor among all countries. Norway also is the fourth largest donor of non-earmarked support.
  10. Norway strongly invests in UNHCR’s education programs for refugee children and in resettlement programs.

– Anna Gargiulo

Photo: Flickr

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Refugees in Need of Further Aid in Mosul

As Mosul, Iraq slowly slips from the grasp of ISIS, civilians are fleeing the city and being evacuated in large numbers. Refugee agencies estimate that 900,000 people were displaced as the Iraqi government launched their offensive to take the city back from ISIS.

As the fighting has continued, evacuations took place throughout the city. Many civilians fled despite ISIS snipers targeting those attempting to leave the city. When refugees emerge from the city, they are usually starving and injured. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) attests that food in the city was seized by militant groups, leaving civilians with very little to eat.

To address the problem, humanitarian camps were set up nearby to provide aid to civilians who fled or were evacuated. In Northern Iraq, the UNHCR created 13 camps and assisted over 500,000 people. However, the refugee agency states that tens of thousands of refugees are still trapped in Mosul. Between 700 and 1,000 people are arriving at the camps every day.

The Iraqi government’s offensive to retake Mosul lasted eight months. Over the course of the fighting in the streets and the bombing, the city was largely destroyed. Civilians likely will not be able to return for months, as large sections of the city will need to be rebuilt and checked for rigged explosives left behind by militants.

Although the camps are safer than the city, they are in no way designed to be long-term housing for Mosul’s refugees. Families are each assigned a tent, but they afford little protection against the cold temperatures. There is no school for the children to attend while at the camp.

Ultimately, the need for continued humanitarian assistance in Mosul is paramount. Organizations on the ground, such as the UNHCR, need the resources to continue to provide aid to refugees from Mosul. Despite current conditions, many hope the fighting will end as the Iraqi government takes controls the city.

– Anika Lanser

Photo: Flickr

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EU and UNICEF: New Hope in Education for Syrian Refugees in Turkey

Education for Syrian Refugees in TurkeyIn March 2017, the European Union (EU) and United International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) announced a new partnership with the Turkish government to address the issue of education for Syrian refugees in Turkey by initiating a program to provide 230,000 additional Syrian refugee children in Turkey with educational opportunities.

There are currently 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey. 1.3 million of them are children. About half of the Syrian refugee children are enrolled in schools or temporary education centers. Nonetheless, 40 percent, or 370,000, of the Syrian refugee children living in Turkey are not receiving an education.

The initiative announced by the EU, UNICEF, and the Turkish government is a Conditional Cash Transfer for Education (CCTE). The CCTE, inaugurated in May 2017, provides refugee families with bi-monthly cash transfers. The cash transfers are targeted with the goal of encouraging 230,000 more children to regularly attend school. The overarching goal is to ensure that there is “no lost generation” of Syrians.

UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake noted that education is especially needed in emergency situations so that the refugees can one day rebuild their lives and their countries.

As of June 8, 2017, 56,000 refugee children have enrolled in the program.

Education for Syrian refugees in Turkey is difficult to implement for multiple reasons. The language used to teach in schools in Turkey is Turkish, while most Syrians grew up learning and speaking Arabic. Also, many Syrian refugee families do not have the financial resources to send their children to school.

Besides the CCTE, many organizations are working to better provide access to education for Syrian refugees in Turkey. In 2016, UNICEF, supported by the EU, aided 12,600 Syrian children by safeguarding their crossing of conflict lines so that they could sit their national examinations.

The Turkish Ministry of National Education and UNICEF have held teacher training for 20,500 Syrian refugees. The aim is to instruct Syrian volunteer teachers with pedagogic skills under the guidelines of Turkish teacher training standards. This aids the teachers who often teach in overcrowded classrooms and have many students with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

One Syrian volunteer teacher, Osama Ayat, relates to his students by telling them stories about his hours spent learning the Turkish language. He says he makes them laugh and emphasizes that teachers can empower their students.

Ayat and his students are one example of individuals benefiting from the strides that multiple organizations make to guarantee education for Syrian refugees in Turkey.

– Sean Newhouse

Photo: Flickr

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10 Facts About Guinea Refugees

10 Facts About Guinea RefugeesGuinea is a West African country, located south of Guinea-Bissau. The nation has a long history of helping others escape persecution. For example, it has taken in thousands of refugees from Sierra Leone. However, Guinea refugees are both incoming and outgoing: the nation takes in thousands, but thousands are also leaving.

However, the inflow of people has burdened the economy. Poverty is a substantial reason for fleeing Guinea. The instability afflicting the country has consequently made life unbearable for many of their citizens. Here are 10 facts about Guinea refugees and an explanation of the relationship between refugees entering and leaving the country:

  1. During the 11-year civil war in Sierra Leone, Guinea hosted thousands of refugees. Approximately 300,000 asylum seekers from Sierra Leone entered Guinea. These refugees thus  put a strain on Guinea’s already struggling economy.
  2. Most of the refugees that flee to Guinea settle in the forest region. This created a decline in the region, and 40 percent of its inhabitants are now food-insecure. Consequently, with the influx of refugees and consequent depletion of resources, people are now starting to emigrate from Guinea.
  3. The total population of Guinea is 13,303,412. In 2016, 15,350 citizens fled. This number accounts for roughly 0.127 percent of the total population.
  4. Like many other African refugees, 81 percent of asylum applicants from Guinea were rejected.
  5. The most successful refugees were those going to the United States and Brazil.
  6. Germany is one of the more open European countries, and it is always at the top of the list for most accepted applicants. In fact, 3,458 Guinea refugees fled to Germany,  and 152 were accepted (22.75 percent).
  7. Experiments with socialism and a period under a junta government made life difficult for the people of Guinea. The junta forcefully took power in 2008, its leaders are responsible for mass murders and occurrences of rape.
  8. The instability in Guinea initiated violent ethnic tension. The different ethnicities entering Guinea from Sierra Leone and other war-torn countries made the possibility of a united, consolidated country difficult to achieve.
  9. Citizens of Guinea also endure poverty and high rates of malnutrition. In 1996, the poverty rate was 40 percent, and it rose to 49 percent in 2004. The share of the population living in extreme poverty grew from 18 percent to 27 percent.
  10. Consequently, poverty is a major reason for fleeing Guinea. In 2012, 35.3 percent of the population lived at or below $1.90 a day.

These 10 facts about Guinea refugees show that the country is struggling. However, improvements are happening. For example, food insecurity in the forest region has decreased. In 2007, 59.7 percent of the population was at or below the poverty line. In 2012, this was down to 35.3 percent.

Guinea’s population is growing, and the nation has made enormous strides in the past few years. If Guinea keeps moving in this direction, poverty will decline and the overall prosperity of the country will increase.

– Lucy Voegeli

Photo: Flickr

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10 Facts About Refugees in Montenegro

10 Facts About Montenegro Refugees
Located on the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro has long been a vacation destination for individuals from all over the world. With picturesque seaside villages and mountains all around, Montenegro is a haven for workers looking to escape a fast-paced life. But this holiday lifestyle has not always been the case for Montenegro.  The current refugee crisis affects the atmosphere of Montenegro. These 10 facts about refugees in Montenegro prove that the country is a key world player in providing aid for global conflict and refugees.

  1. The years 1998 and 1999 saw intense fighting for Kosovo. Although the conflict in Kosovo lasted only a year, nearly half of the population of Kosovo was either internally displaced or forced to leave the country to become refugees elsewhere. Montenegro was one of the countries they fled towards.
  2. The surge in refugees led to the closure of Montenegro’s border in September 1998. This came only seven months after the beginning of the conflict in Kosovo.
  3. In April 1999, NATO reported that 33,000 Kosovo natives fled to Montenegro. By the following month, that number soared to 64,000.
  4. NATO transported thousands of tons of food to refugees across the Western Balkans. The organization reported that by May 1999, NATO had shipped almost 5,000 tons of food to the war-torn areas filled with refugees.
  5. In one instance during the war, an entire village was packed into a truck and sent away at gunpoint. They traveled from Kosovo to Montenegro in search of safety.
  6. Although the conflict ended nearly two decades ago, the effects of the influx of refugees remain visible across the Balkan countries. In 2012, the European Union pledged 230 million euros to facilitate housing projects for refugees in the Balkans.
  7. With close proximity to entry countries such as Greece and Albania, many refugees have simply passed through the country since the start of the refugee crisis in 2015.
  8. Montenegro is currently not a member of the European Union because its borders are not secure enough to join the EU. Because of this, the country began to ramp up preparations for accession. As more border agents enter the force in preparation to join the Schengen Area, they have begun to monitor the border more tightly.
  9. At the height of the refugee crisis in 2015, only 1,611 asylum applications were received by Montenegro. Many refugees are choosing to take other routes.
  10. In April 2017, the unemployment rate reached a staggering 22.8%. This shows why many refugees choose to simply pass through Montenegro, as jobs are scarce.

The migrant crisis that began in 2015 has been nowhere near as profound in Montenegro as the refugee crisis during the war in Kosovo. These 10 facts about refugees in Montenegro show that even the smallest countries can have an overwhelming impact on world events.

– Sophie Casimes

Photo: Flickr

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10 Important Facts About Refugees in Panama

Panama Refugees
Panama is a country located on the isthmus between Central and South America which hosts thousands seeking asylum from nearby countries such as Nicaragua and Venezuela. However, the majority of refugees in Panama come from Colombia.

Over more than 50 years of drug-related conflict, 6.6 million Colombians have been forced to leave their homes. An estimated 370,000 Colombian refugees live in countries near their own, and Panama is a major hub. Below are ten facts about refugees in Panama and organizations working to improve their circumstances.

  1. Panama is a possible destination for refugees because of its relative safety and proximity to countries currently at war. As a result, many applications go unreviewed for years due to high volume. Of 893 requests for asylum in Panama from Colombia last year, just 28 went under review, of which 23 were accepted.
  2. Also, few Colombian refugees receive Refugee Status Determination (RSD), meaning deportation is a constant possibility. Without the direct support of a governing body, there is no guarantee of essential resources and safety.
  3. Due to a lack of documentation, Colombian refugees in Panama have little job security. Sometimes, refugee families cannot afford to stay.
  4. Fortunately, organizations identify these gaps and step in to help. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) offers legal services and counseling to Colombian refugees in Panama, helping them to achieve official refugee standing and to defend their property rights.
  5. The NRC aims to empower refugees in the context of the law as a whole. The staff at a convenient Panama-based office train authorities to maximize their ability to help, escort new asylum seekers to refugee commissions and ensure a basic understanding of the law so refugees can avoid falling victim to crime.
  6. In 2016, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued an initiative to improve resources and security for refugees in some Latin American countries, Panama included. The appeal calls for $18.1 million to ensure housing, child protection and related resources. So far the appeal has fulfilled nearly half of these requests.
  7. Closely following these efforts, the UNHCR supported the release of the San Jose Action Statement, in which nine countries across North and Central America agreed to protect those struggling to flee danger in their home countries.
  8. Participating countries will formulate solutions to keep refugees safe as they cross borders. Implementing the use of clear, abundant documentation and creating access to legal services are foundational elements of the plan.
  9. The process also includes training national officials according to the concerns of refugees, with a specific focus on law and policy. This step is already in motion in all nine participating countries.
  10. Protecting refugees in Panama and ensuring them basic resources will mean extensive data collection.  This plan is an endeavor that has presented a challenge already, as there is little existing protocol. Countries continue brainstorming to troubleshoot such issues.

Though technicalities pervade—and sometimes inhibit—the flow of refugees from places of conflict into Panama, the work of compassionate nations and organizations like NRC and the U.N. promise smoother transitions. With their continued efforts, the experiences of refugees in Panama are bound to keep improving.

– Madeline Forwerck

Photo: Flickr

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10 Facts About Refugees in Latvia


As of right now, there are more than 65 million people in the world who have been forced to leave their homes. Humanity is facing its largest refugee crisis yet. There are many countries that are involved with this critical situation, and each responds to it in different ways. Some provide assistance to refugees and some neglect them. Here are 10 facts about refugees in Latvia to further one’s comprehension on this matter and how Latvia handles it.

10 Facts About Refugees in Latvia

  1. Latvia is currently building a fence along the Russian border to prevent people from entering the country illegally, ensuring that refugees only come in accordance with the law. The fence’s purpose is to protect the European Union borders. It should be complete by 2019.
  2. As a part of the European Commission’s refugee relocation plan, Latvia agreed to accept 531 refugees within two years. This plan is supposed to focus on accepting refugees who are mostly from Italy and Greece. However, 50 accepted refugees must be from third world countries. Thus far, Latvia has accepted 318 people.
  3. There have been multiple cases where refugees who arrive in Latvia tend to leave shortly after. According to the Red Cross, refugees leave due to the difficulty of finding a job there. Although there are supposedly many job offerings, refugees might have a hard time because of a language barrier and the challenge of becoming accustomed to a new culture. In September 2016, 21 out of 23 refugees that came to Latvia ended up leaving for Germany. A month later, it was confirmed that none of the 23 refugees remained in Latvia.
  4. As a result of many people being unhappy with the way Latvia regards its refugees, the “Our people” campaign was created. The purpose of the campaign is to serve as a reminder that, despite cultural differences, people of the world should support one another and come together. The “Our people” campaign promotes the acceptance of refugees who come to live in Latvia.
  5. There is one asylum-seeker center in Mucenieki. People stay there while waiting to find out if they have received refugee or alternative status. While they live there, they are given the opportunity to receive some education and the chance to learn Latvian.
  6. Migrants who arrive in Latvia typically wait three months to find out whether they have been given either refugee or alternative status.
  7. When one is given the status of a refugee, they are provided with a permanent residence permit. When one is given alternative status, they are provided with a residence permit that is valid for a year.
  8. The main difference between the status of a refugee and an alternative is that asylum seekers are mainly accepted as refugees because they fear persecution for their beliefs and race. Asylum seekers that receive alternative status are accepted because they were threatened with punishment and violence and are thus in dire need of protection.
  9. In 2016, there was a large controversy over a campaign introduced by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). With the tagline “We would do the same,” the campaign’s purpose was to bring attention to the fact that refugees need help and that in a situation like theirs, many would flee their homes. However, Latvia’s Defense Ministry found it to be offensive to the Latvian National Armed Forces because it suggested that Latvians wouldn’t fight for their country.
  10. Sixty-nine percent of Latvians stated in a 2015 public opinion survey that they did not like the idea of welcoming refugees from Northern Africa and Middle Eastern countries.

While these 10 facts about refugees in Latvia provide a better understanding of Latvia’s role in the refugee crisis, they do not represent the different roles that different countries are taking in this situation. The way Latvia treats its refugees does not depict the treatment of refugees throughout the entire world. With a multitude of organizations and people that want to help, refugees do have a global support system.

– Raven Rentas

Photo: Flickr

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10 Facts About Refugees in Macedonia

Refugees in Macedonia
Tucked between Greece and the rest of Eastern Europe, Macedonia sees the majority of migrant foot traffic. Controversy and conflict with Greece have plagued Macedonia for generations. This well-known history between the two countries has continually contributed to the refugee crisis. These 10 facts about refugees in Macedonia show that the country is one of the largest players in Europe in terms of refugee numbers and routes.

10 Facts About Refugees in Macedonia

  1. In 2016, the border between Greece and Macedonia was closed off, effectively closing the major Balkan route for many refugees.
  2. Macedonia is a country vulnerable to severe floods and landslides, exacerbating the problem of an increased population in a small country. The EU Humanitarian budget has consistently contributed funds to Macedonia for a combination of the increased number of refugees and also because of the high rates of natural disasters.
  3. With the closing of the border between Greece and Macedonia, the influx of refugees decreased from 815,000 refugees in 2015 to only 89,197 in 2016.
  4. The European Commission has allocated 4.4 million euros to the country of Macedonia since the start of the refugee crisis. This allowed refugees to have access to basic necessities such as food and clothing.
  5. A third of refugees in Macedonia are children. UNICEF has begun to set up child-friendly spaces where they are supplied with warm food and clothing.
  6. The 2016 closing of the Macedonia-Greece border left many migrants stranded in transit centers in Northern Macedonia, where living conditions were less than ideal. This changed the minds of many refugees, as traveling further North seemed impossible. Rather than continuing further into the EU, many migrants instead settled in Serbia or Hungary, in search of asylum.
  7. Greece has continually blocked Macedonian hopes of joining the EU. This conflict not only made the refugee crisis worse but contributed to the closing of the Greece-Macedonia border.
  8. The closure of the Greece-Macedonia border left around 13,000 refugees stranded at the border. To intensify the closing of the Greece-Macedonia border, Serbia closed its border with Macedonia the same year.
  9. The closure of many Balkan borders left thousands stranded. The Vinojug refugee center in Southern Macedonia has turned from a temporary transit center into a permanent home for hundreds of refugees. With the help of organizations such as UN Women, the once-temporary camp is turning into a home.
  10. Airbnb began a program designed for individuals all over the world to house refugees and migrants. Although the program is in the early stages, it has already been tested in Macedonia to house relief workers.

These facts about refugees in Macedonia showcase how the situation remains dire. Although the state of the refugee crisis in Macedonia seems to be looking up, there is still much to be done. With the number of refugees declining, there is hope for the future.

– Sophie Casimes

Photo: Flickr

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Love Locks Raise Funds for Refugees


For years, tourists have come to Paris to proclaim their undying love by placing a lock on the Pont Des Arts bridge, better known as “Lover’s Bridge.” However, the love locks are no more as Paris officials have begun removing the locks after several railings began collapsing due to the enormous weight.

However, the sad end to the love locks on the bridge was commemorated through a charity auction, hosted by Solipam, the Salvation Army and Emmaus Solidarite to raise money for refugees in France.

The auction comes at a time when numerous refugee camps are being burned down and protests are appearing throughout Paris to ward off the arrival of new refugees. In February, police took refugees’ blankets and sleeping bags and they were told to “get out of France,” a complete disregard of the government’s orders to assist the refugees.

Opposition to the government’s “open arms” for the refugees protested the auction. However, the protests did not deter the charity’s supporters but rather encouraged them to raise more money.

Originally thought to only sell for a total of about $100,000 USD, the charity auction raised more than twice that amount. The love locks were placed on unique displays, such as a recycled stone Eiffel Tower replica, a lock-covered fence on wheels and even small delicate glass displays. Displays were sold for as little as $165 USD and as much as $18,000 USD. At the end of the night, supporters raised over $270,000 USD.

Following the love locks auction, France continues to find a common ground between the opposition and supporters for helping refugees and find solutions for the increasing amount of refugees entering the country. As refugees reassemble at the former “Jungle” refugee center in Calais, France must decide if they will continue to help refugees in their country or try to evict them. The French government and some Paris officials have already begun helping the refugees arriving in Calais.

The love locks auction gave hope to refugees in France that they might finally receive help from the country.

– Amira Wynn

Photo: Flickr

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10 Important Facts to Know About Refugees in Finland

Refugees in Finland
In 2015, there were over a million migrants and refugees who sought a home in European countries to escape from war and poverty. Approximately 32,000 of them found refuge in Finland. Finland has bolstered enough of the refugee intake that the finance minister is now urging eastern EU countries to use their development funds to take responsibility for the growing refugee crisis and alleviate some of the pressure from western countries, such as Finland, who now face criticism as they increase deportations. Here are 10 facts about refugees in Finland.

10 Facts About Refugees in Finland

  1. More than 400 juvenile applicants in 2016 were found to be adults after medical tests were conducted to determine their biological age. The added protections and quicker processing time given to child refugees have caused this problem of falsity across the globe.
  2. Of those juvenile applicants, 74 percent were from Afghanistan, 11 percent were from Iraq and six percent were from Somalia.
  3. Of the refugees in Finland, 6,657 were forcibly returned to their country of origin (deported) in 2016, and only about 25 percent received assistance in their return. That number doubled from 2015’s reports, which has been attributed as much to the increase in the application as the increase in scrutiny by the Finnish Migration Board.
  4. For the first time since the Finnish Civil War that ended in 1918, the birth rate in Finland is lower than the death rate. However, the influx of migrants has caused the total population to continue to grow. Between 2014 and 2015, as an example of the magnitude of migration, the number of refugees in Finland went from 3,600 to 32,500.
  5. The Finnish Migration Board has peaked at an average processing time of ten months for refugee applications.
  6. It is becoming increasingly common for refugees in Finland to voluntarily leave the country. Besides family obligations or a sense of alienation, one of the most common reasons seems to simply be that it’s too cold for people accustomed to living in the Middle East. Eighty percent of voluntary removals are Iraqis.
  7. One of the most popular towns to house refugees is Punkalaidun, mostly populated by Burmese, Syrians and Ethiopians. The town is a model for cultural integration and has been awarded for their “promotion of ethical relations.” The work that they provide to refugees is unique. They specialize in the production of funeral supplies such as coffins.
  8. The distance between North Africa’s shore and Southern Europe can be extremely dangerous, but it is the journey that many refugees make to reach Finland. In 2015, more than 2,600 people died trying to cross this stretch of the Mediterranean Sea.
  9. Prime Minister Juha Sipilä has offered his own home in Kempele as a temporary home to 20 or so migrants.
  10. Since 1973, the Finnish Red Cross has been responsible for receiving quota refugees at the Helsinki Airport. Quota refugees forego reception centers because they’ve been approved for refugee status and sent to Finland by the U.N. Refugee Agency.

Finland is increasingly struggling to keep up with the flow of refugees from conflict areas across the world, most notably those in the Middle East. Refugees continue to risk their lives on the journey there, sometimes lying about their age or sacrificing months of processing time only to be turned away or to leave voluntarily because the conditions are so far from what they hoped. Even with this risk, the country is still a beacon for many hopeful people and a new home to a fortunate few.

– Brooke Clayton

Photo: Flickr