Tag Archive for: Refugees

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Fund for Armenian Relief: Impacting Refugees in 2026

Fund for Armenian ReliefThe changing climate is a persistent issue that is becoming increasingly relevant as severe weather events reach cities around the world. With the consensus that extreme storms are an isolated issue instead of an international one, damage affecting unhoused and refugee communities in 2025 highlighted the importance of nonprofit organizations in the absence of assistance from local governments. Generating more support for displaced persons and the unhoused community begins with sharing stories that evoke relatability and enhance overall understanding of the issue.

Ongoing Advocacy

On Nov. 11, 2025, climate reporter Sabrina Shankman shared insight on the best way to educate people about the significance of climate change at the “Climate Is Every Story” panel series designed for Boston College faculty and students. Shankman said storytelling is the key to proper advocacy, not data points.

Similarly, Neil McCullagh, executive director of the Carroll School of Management’s Joseph E. Corcoran Center for Real Estate and Urban Action and BC ’91, highlighted the effectiveness of Habitat for Humanity’s human-focused narrative. Specifically, he discussed how the partnership between Habitat for Humanity and a faith-based organization provided 13 housing units that improved the lives of struggling families. Initiatives like this are powerful and help communities visualize the bigger picture and give their support.

Relief Efforts

Habitat for Humanity is a global organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, that provides housing assistance. Habitat for Humanity works with communities around the globe, serving about 70 countries. In 2025, research revealed that inadequate access to housing is a global issue, with 1.8 billion people worldwide unable to find affordable housing.

The organization continues to operate with the philosophy that “a world where everyone has a decent place to live” is possible. Its programs aid populations suffering from poverty, economic disadvantages and other challenges. There are similar nonprofit projects that provide items usually inaccessible to low-income individuals. Habitat for Humanity ReStore offers used household items at affordable prices. Proceeds from these items help the organization collaborate with local families to provide accessible housing for low-income individuals.

Volunteers from the Global Village program improve the lives of communities internationally by building houses in countries including Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Malawi and Romania. Other nonprofit projects have provided people in Brazil with a water tank as a response to a disaster in the region.

Global Village volunteers also responded to the risk of natural disasters in Cambodia by building water towers while providing homes for displaced persons in the Dominican Republic. These programs are creating momentum toward housing equity in underdeveloped countries. Relief efforts are giving people a fresh start. Mobilizing volunteers is one of the most effective methods to advocate for change. Still, innovative and sustainable solutions are needed to address fluctuating levels of support for services.

Forced Displacement and Hunger

A variety of challenges affect refugees, but one of the greatest trials they face is hunger. Currently, refugees receive most assistance from nongovernmental organizations.

Sustainable living practices empower refugees to find nourishment through natural resources. Educating displaced persons on agricultural practices equips them with tools to avoid hunger and improve individual economic circumstances. A significant level of impact has been achieved through targeted programs. In particular, nonprofit projects like FAR’s Support for Artsakh’s Displaced Project teach students horticulture and gardening skills. For example, 15-year-old student Nanar Markosyan learned horticulture and gardening through this program, which prepared her to attend the National Agrarian University to pursue greenhouse management.

Sustainable farming approaches, such as tending soil or caring for livestock, promote self-reliance and resilience. Programs like these help prevent reliance on third-party food sources that may not always be available.

This approach can also be seen in the Fund for Armenian Relief’s malnutrition treatment programs established by a local NGO aiming to end malnutrition. The “Breakthroughs in Child Nutrition and Development for Healthy Generations” program was established in September 2020 to provide nutrition assistance to preschoolers and kindergarteners. As a result, 354 children received nutrition assistance in Ijevan, Tavush marz, Armenia. Focusing on successful programs like these helps ensure that child hunger is reduced or eliminated.

Fund for Armenian Relief

Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) assists refugees fleeing life-threatening circumstances. FAR also provides food assistance and humanitarian support to help vulnerable communities in Armenia. The organization was created after the devastating earthquake in 1988, when the Armenian diaspora in the U.S. provided food and supplies. After the disaster, FAR identified the need for additional forms of assistance, which led to resilience-centered initiatives. Currently, the organization operates soup kitchens, assists vulnerable and abused children and supplies clean water. What began as a mission to help refugees rebuild their lives after the 1988 earthquake has evolved into a multifaceted nonprofit organization offering services related to health care, education, economic development, child protection and social services.

The Borgen Project spoke with Bree Carriglio, executive director of Fund for Armenian Relief, regarding the organization’s progress and goals for refugee assistance in 2026. Carriglio described progress made toward supporting displaced populations. When discussing food insecurity among children, Carriglio said, “FAR is always working to identify different ways we can provide nourishment to our most vulnerable populations. Our soup kitchens, old age home and child malnutrition programs in kindergartens are just a few ways we do this, and every year we evaluate how we can improve the nutritional values of our menus and reach more people.”

Carriglio noted that hunger was a major issue among displaced populations after a nine-month blockade prior to fleeing. Following the displacement between 2023 and 2024 resulting from conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, FAR provided immediate aid to 14,000 families during the first six months.

Nutrition Deficits

FAR aims to assess specific nutrition deficits in children through its malnutrition program this year. In 2026, the organization anticipates progress in its food aid programs and plans to identify opportunities to expand nutrition assistance through program evaluations. Looking ahead, Carriglio emphasized that continued efforts to support displaced refugees are essential to expanding FAR’s mission. She said the key to rebuilding lives is to “make sure they have not only the physical resources to do that but also the psychosocial support and other resources to address the emotional toll this type of trauma can have on individuals.”

FAR’s nonprofit projects continue to show progress. Because the organization has no political affiliation, funding relies heavily on donors. In some cases, FAR has partnered with the Armenian government to administer programs that demonstrate measurable outcomes. FAR has also participated in advocacy efforts to raise awareness about forced displacement and food insecurity among refugee populations. Carriglio said, “During the last crisis, we raised awareness by reaching out to the diaspora and sharing both firsthand accounts of the crisis and how we were mobilizing to help, which focused on both immediate assistance in the form of humanitarian aid and implementing strategies to help displaced individuals rebuild their lives.”

However, these resources are not sufficient to sustain every program. Budget cuts created funding gaps, forcing FAR to end a workforce program for vulnerable populations, including veterans reentering the workforce. Monetary aid remains the most effective form of support because food can be purchased within Armenia and distributed without delay.

The Path Forward

The conflict that caused nearly 100,000 refugees to flee Artsakh and cross the Armenian border is one of many challenges displaced persons have endured.

Fund for Armenian Relief has the ability to adapt to change and its mission to provide humanitarian support continues to transform the lives of vulnerable children, including those facing challenges beyond food insecurity. Other nonprofit projects, such as Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village program, have secured housing and supplied clean water internationally.

Investing in programs that support vulnerable communities serves as both immediate relief and a long-term strategy for mitigation. Raising awareness and building strategic partnerships can help reduce the challenges faced by populations struggling to meet basic needs worldwide.

– Lala McCullough

Lala is based in Brentwood, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: farusa

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Creations for Charity: Brightening Children’s Holidays With LEGO

Creations for CharityLEGO bricks have long sparked the imaginations of people of all ages. Ole Kirk Kristiansen founded the LEGO Group in 1932, with its name being an abbreviation of the Danish words “leg godt,” meaning “play well,” emphasizing the power of play. Today, LEGOs serve as building blocks of hope, learning and opportunity for underprivileged children.

This is the mission of Creations For Charity (CFC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to brightening children’s holidays with LEGO bricks by uniting fans from around the world. Nannan Zhang is an adult fan who has been active in the online community for eight years. Initially, a college student with a lot of free time dedicated to LEGO sets, he wanted to see fellow builders in the community use their extensive building skills to give to others.

As such, Zhang founded the CFC in 2009 with the intent of showcasing the talents of fellow LEGO fans and giving to needy youths.

How It Works

The CFC is entirely volunteer-run and hosts an annual fundraiser. The nonprofit prides itself on its unique fundraising strategy, which involves selling one-of-a-kind creations donated by volunteers from around the world from October 15 to November 30. Coordinators then use the funds to purchase new LEGO sets for underprivileged children.

In hopes of brightening children’s holidays with LEGO bricks, the CFC’s coordinators travel around the world and use these funds to purchase brand-new LEGO sets, donating them to local organizations of their choice that serve underprivileged children. Such organizations include shelters, orphanages, hospitals and impoverished schools. People can also make monetary donations through the organization’s website.

Zhang has acknowledged the high prices of the creations displayed in the CFC’s store. He explained that those who have put in immense effort into their creations deserved recognition. Near the end of the sale, discounts are made for remaining items.

The CFC has collaborated with popular LEGO event organizers, including Brick Convention and Beyond the Brick. Brick Convention is a long-running event that features numerous LEGO attractions, including massive creation displays, retired LEGO sets and life-size models. A portion of the money raised during the convention goes to the CFC, supporting its goal of brightening children’s holidays with LEGO.

Beyond the Brick’s YouTube channel, hosted by Joshua Hanlon, houses the CFC’s annual 24-hour livestreams. Hanlon founded Beyond the Brick in November 2011, initially as an audio-only podcast. It is usually held on the day after Thanksgiving.

Many LEGO fans from around the world have participated in the livestream since 2014. In 2025, Beyond the Brick delivered sets to Transformation Ministries, an organization that provides food and other necessities to underprivileged children.

Successes and Contributions

The Creations for Charity has traveled to both developed and developing countries in support of its cause. For example, the team has traveled to Hungary, Kenya, Brazil, Chile and Japan. Since 2009, CFC has raised approximately $17,000 annually, which it used to donate more than 1,100 new LEGO sets to organizations such as Make-A-Wish and children’s hospitals.

In 2024, CFC donated 150 LEGO kits to refugee children in Nairobi, Kenya, where more than 800,000 refugees sought shelter from war, famine and natural disasters. In 2025, the CFC raised $25,906, with $4,500 from the sale of custom creations and $7,000 from the live stream. The rest came from donations from the Brick Convention, Brickworld and the Great Palia Charity Hunt.

LEGO builders and event organizers alike have collaborated for the sake of brightening children’s holidays with LEGO sets. As of now, the CFC plans to travel to 17 locations around the world, which have yet to be fully disclosed.

The Impact of LEGOs

It may seem surprising how the Creations for Charity’s mission focuses on brightening children’s holidays with LEGOs. However, the truth is that the language of play is universal. As freshman computer science major Jenna Curtis put it: “That’s why they’re so relevant, because you don’t have to change the formula. You can just rearrange what pieces you use and create something different.”

Not only do LEGO bricks encourage creativity, but they also help to hone fine motor skills, vocabulary, cooperation and problem-solving abilities. Approximately 90% of brain growth occurs before the age of 5. LEGO kits facilitate learning through imagination and independent play. A 2022 study found that LEGO sets have been used for developmental art therapy for children.

These building blocks are versatile and can enhance social and behavioral skills in children, which are crucial to a child’s future.

Conclusion

Through his simple love for LEGO bricks, Zhang has built the Creations for Charity into a foundation for fostering creativity and brightening children’s holidays with LEGO bricks. When children play with LEGO blocks, they aren’t just building for fun. They’re also building their futures with one brick at a time.

– Cindy Nguyen

Cindy is based in Albuquerque, NM, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Combating Malaria in Rohingya Refugee Camps

Malaria in Rohingya RefugeeMalaria has been a threat to the Rohingya refugee population living in crowded, resource-limited camps in Bangladesh for years. Currently, about 1.3 million Rohingya refugees remain in temporary shelters, where conditions are ideal for mosquito breeding and the rapid spread of disease. Yet despite these challenges, coordinated efforts between local authorities, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and health agencies have led to significant progress in combating malaria in Rohingya refugee camps.

Malaria in Rohingya Refugee Camps: 5 Key Facts

Here are five key facts about how collaboration is helping protect vulnerable families from malaria:

  1. Distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets. Bangladesh’s National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), in partnership with BRAC and supported by the Global Fund, has expanded access to long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), distributing 350,000 LLINs to Rohingya refugees between 2021 and 2024. While endemic Bangladeshi districts have reached the World Health Organization (WHO) benchmark of about one LLIN for every two people, coverage among the Rohingya population falls short. Only 44.3% had sufficient coverage, and utilization rates were significantly lower, with 65.7% sleeping under LLINs. The study notes that although LLIN distribution efforts have been successful, supply remains inadequate, and further improvements are necessary to fully protect vulnerable communities and sustain malaria elimination progress.
  2. Rapid Diagnostic Tests Ensure Early Detection and Treatment. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) remain one of the strongest tools in combating malaria in the Rohingya refugee camps. RDTs formed the backbone of detection between 2017 and 2020. During this period, 30,460 individuals were tested as part of routine health care in the Kutupalong Registered Camp and Nayapara Mega Camp. The study found very few malaria cases and no deaths among 86,490 Rohingya refugees in two camps, showing how fast, accessible RDT-based diagnosis prevents severe illness and stops transmission in densely populated settings.
  3. Community-Led Efforts in Combating Malaria. Environmental conditions in the Rohingya camps play a major role in malaria transmission, and waste mismanagement has become a critical threat. The camps generate more than 10,000 tons of solid waste per month, about 460 grams per person per day. With no formal system, waste is often dumped in open areas where it clogs drainage channels, causes flooding and contaminates soil and water. These conditions increase respiratory illnesses, waterborne diseases and vector-borne diseases such as malaria. To address this crisis, Community Partners International (CPI) launched a community-led waste management program in Kutupalong Camp, where trained refugee volunteers collect and process six tons of waste per month. These efforts show how community-driven solutions can strengthen environmental resilience and public health by lowering mosquito breeding sites and protecting camp residents.
  4. Prevention Efforts Are at the Center of Combating Malaria. The WHO emphasizes that malaria prevention succeeds when surveillance is strengthened, underserved communities are reached and investments in better diagnostics and tools are made. Indeed, across the Southeast Asia Region, these strategies have helped cut malaria incidence by 54% and mortality by 46% in five years. The same lessons apply to the refugee camps. Hard-to-reach, mobile and vulnerable populations must be actively protected. Early detection through improved diagnostics and consistent monitoring remains essential to preventing outbreaks.
  5. Community Radio Expands Health Awareness and Malaria Prevention. Community health efforts in the Rohingya camps are strengthened through expanded access to reliable, language-appropriate health information. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that a community radio station in Teknaf, previously reaching only 50% of the refugee response zone, has now expanded coverage to 90%. Supported by the Emergency Telecommunications Sector (ETS), the station partners with organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and BBC Media Action to broadcast programs on health, water and sanitation, disaster preparedness, malaria, sexually transmitted infections and trafficking. Community radio plays a crucial role in improving health literacy by delivering accessible information directly to households and encouraging disease prevention behaviors.

Looking Ahead

Together, these efforts show that even in one of the world’s most challenging humanitarian settings, coordinated action can significantly reduce malaria risks. However, continued investment, community involvement and sustained prevention strategies will be essential to protecting Rohingya families.

– Chris Tang

Chris is based in Beijing, China and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Advancing SDG 1 in Lebanon: Building Livelihoods

SDG 1 in LebanonWith nine out of 10 Syrian refugees in Lebanon unable to meet their basic needs, eight out of 10 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon living in poverty and almost a million citizens internally displaced, sweeping international aid cuts in 2025 threaten to plunge hundreds of thousands deeper into destitution. The U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports a 74% funding shortfall for its Lebanon operation, forcing severe reductions in health, shelter and cash assistance programs. As the world pursues Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1, the mission of ending poverty in all its forms, the current crisis in Lebanon serves as a poignant reminder that emergency aid alone cannot break the cycle. In response to this reality, innovative programs are pivoting to build sustainable refugee livelihoods in Lebanon, creating economic stepping stones for the most vulnerable while fortifying fractured local communities. Here is information about SDG 1 in Lebanon.

A Multilayered Crisis for Refugees

Lebanon hosts more than 660,000 registered Syrian refugees and around 450,000 Palestinian refugees, a population whose acute vulnerability is layered upon the host country’s own profound economic collapse, ranked among the world’s worst since the 19th century. A 2025 socio-economic assessment by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) found that 90% of Syrian refugees in Lebanon now live in extreme poverty, while a U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) report found that more than 80% of their Palestinian counterparts to be in similar circumstances of pauperism.

On top of this economic devastation, the war with Israel which began in late 2023 has compounded the plight of the most vulnerable immensely with Israeli hostilities still ongoing despite an official ceasefire. As of late 2024, the warfare has displaced more than 878,000 people within Lebanon, damaged vital infrastructure like water facilities and schools and further constricted the already narrow space for economic activity, particularly in southern border regions.

The Systemic Barriers to Livelihoods

For refugees and the undocumented internally displaced, legal and systemic barriers obstruct the path to a secure livelihood in Lebanon. Restrictive work permit policies and the collapse of formal labor markets has pushed refugees into informal, precarious and often exploitative work. This reality traps families in a cycle of aid dependency, just as that aid is being withdrawn, while impeding any viable path toward real economic recovery. The humanitarian sector itself faces internal challenges in fostering sustainable solutions. Research from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) highlights that despite commitments to “localization”—the effort to empower national and community-based organizations—funding and decision-making authority often remain centralized within large international agencies. This disconnect has hindered the development of responsive, culturally attuned livelihood programs that are integrated into local economic ecosystems.

A Model for Empowerment: The IRC’s Social Recovery Project

A concrete example of an approach designed to overcome these barriers is the Support for Social Recovery Needs of Vulnerable Groups Phase II (SRP2) project, a $5.6 million initiative that the World Bank funded and the IRC implemented. Through a strategy designed to pivot away from the conventional myopic, top-down, stop-gap unilateral relief funding that perpetuates cycles of dependency, the project finances a network of Lebanese NGOs to deliver integrated capacity-building interventions. This includes critical support services such as case management for gender-based violence survivors and mental health counselling, which address the profound psychosocial distress that can prevent individuals from seeking or maintaining employment.

The project explicitly links recovery services to long-term economic empowerment through a design that integrates vocational training, digital skills development and job placement support directly into its recovery framework. Increased access to and improved quality of services for its target groups—including GBV survivors, individuals with mental health challenges and persons with disabilities—measure its success. For instance, a survivor of violence receiving psychosocial support can also access market-relevant skills training, breaking the isolation of trauma and building practical avenues to income. By channeling World Bank funds through the IRC to local NGO partners, the model actively builds in-country organizational resilience. This “graduation” approach to partnership seeks to foster stronger, self-reliant local institutions, directly addressing the localization gap identified in sectoral research.

The Imperative for Strategic Investment

Broader humanitarian planning reflects the strategic shift towards livelihoods. The International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) 2025 Crisis Response Plan for Lebanon allocates $12.6 million specifically for “livelihoods and economic recovery” operating on the rationale that investing in people’s economic agency is a cornerstone of stability. IRC research has found that NGOs run nearly 70% of primary healthcare centers in Lebanon, corroborating the sector’s pivotal role where state capacity is still limited. Supporting these local actors to deliver economic programs is not only a natural extension of their work, but also a prudent use of already established and experienced local networks.

The Path Forward for SDG 1 in Lebanon

Achieving SDG 1 in Lebanon demands a layered, forward-looking strategy to confront the livelihood crisis for refugees and the internally displaced. Immediate humanitarian support remains critical to prevent a catastrophic deterioration in living standards, making the current funding shortfall an urgent priority. Concurrently, donors and implementers must strategically and significantly scale up investments in sustainable refugee livelihoods and rebuilding efforts. This means funding integrated programs that pair protection services with skills training, advocating for policies that expand legal work rights, and, most importantly, following through on localization commitments by providing flexible, direct funding to native organizations with the community knowledge to run effective programs. A durable cessation of Israeli military aggression in the south remains a fundamental prerequisite for stability and economic recovery.

Programs like SRP2 demonstrate that by intentionally linking recovery to economic opportunity and by strengthening local partners, international aid can transition from sustaining dependence to fostering self-reliance. For SDG 1 to move from aspiration to reality in Lebanon, enabling the displaced to resettle and empowering refugees to build their own sustainable livelihoods is an indispensable approach.

– Georgio Moussa

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

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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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

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Lifting Hands International: Aiding Refugees from Afghanistan

Lifting Hands InternationalAfghanistan, a country located between Central and South Asia and with a population of 42.65 million, has faced more than 40 years of conflict and instability. This has led to a refugee and displacement crisis with many Afghans in desperate need of humanitarian support. However, whilst the refugee crisis is incredibly concerning, many organisations such as Lifting Hands International are actively aiding refugees from Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Refugee Crisis

Afghanistan has a long history of conflict; however, that is not the only cause of the refugee crisis, but just one contributing factor. UNHCR states that other causes of the prolonged crisis are ‘natural disasters, chronic poverty, food insecurity, COVID-19 pandemic, and most recently a changeover in government authorities’. The complex and intertwined causes of the displacement of Afghans can, therefore, account for the scale of the crisis. The U.N. reported that 10.3 million Afghans are still facing displacement both within their country and globally, with 5.8 million Afghans displaced around the world.

Iran and Pakistan

The Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan are the two countries with the largest number of Afghan refugees, with Iran hosting 3.5 million and Pakistan hosting 1.6 million, according to UNHCR. However, whilst these countries have accommodated displaced Afghans over the decades-long period of violence and instability, the recent efforts by the UNHCR in Iran and Pakistan, aiming to aid refugees from Afghanistan by enabling them to return home voluntarily, saw the number of Afghan refugees decrease by 10% at the end of last year.

However, as the World Bank reported in April this year, despite Afghanistan’s economy increasing by 2.5% in 2024, the return of refugees has increased the strain on an already fragile economy. Afghanistan’s high unemployment rates have led to increased food insecurity, with 14.8 million people suffering food shortages. Therefore, whilst aiding refugees from Afghanistan in returning home is important work, it is also key to continue to focus on supporting refugees in their host country as not to contribute to instability in Afghanistan.

Lifting Hands International

Lifting Hands International is a charity that has been providing aid to refugees around the world since 2016. After the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, the U.S. government launched the program, Operation Allies Welcome, to resettle Afghan refugees in the U.S. However, the housing items needed for Afghans to transition into residential housing, if not donated, comes out of their small stipend. Therefore, Lifting Hands International partnered with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to support their resettlement, providing groceries, school supplies, beds, and handmade quilts.

Furthermore, in addition to aiding refugees from Afghanistan in the U.S., Lifting Hands International also provides vital support to those suffering displacement within Afghanistan who often have to travel long distances to get water and suffer severe food insecurity as well. Lifting Hands International tackles this crisis by distributing essential aid supplies to the internally displaced, with a total of 9,045,218 aid items distributed across all of their programs.

Looking Forward

Whilst the refugee crisis is incredibly concerning, the many initiatives and charities dedicated to aiding refugees from Afghanistan are doing incredible work at eradicating the suffering of those displaced both within the country and globally. Continued advocacy and support for these charities is, therefore, essential in tackling the crisis.

– Victoria Adrados

Victoria is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How US Support Is Tackling Hunger and Malnutrition in Kenya

Hunger and Malnutrition in KenyaKenya faces a persistent hunger and malnutrition crisis, with more than 18.7 million people, more than one-third of the population, undernourished. Recurring droughts, floods and disease outbreaks exacerbate this process. However, United States (U.S.) foreign aid alleviates this situation through various programs and initiatives.

US Humanitarian Assistance in Kenya

In response to the 2023 Horn of Africa drought, the U.S. government, through USAID, provided nearly $310 million in humanitarian assistance to Kenya. This funding supported emergency food aid, nutrition programs and resilience-building activities.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been instrumental in combating child malnutrition in Kenya through the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program. In 2023, this program supplied U.S.-grown food to more than 650,000 children across more than 2,000 schools, ensuring they receive nutritious meals that support their education and overall well-being.

Addressing Acute Malnutrition

Acute malnutrition remains a significant concern, particularly among children under 5. As of October 2023, approximately 847,000 children in Kenya were facing acute malnutrition. U.S. aid contributes to programs that provide therapeutic feeding, micronutrient supplementation and community-based nutrition interventions to address this issue.

Supporting Refugees and Vulnerable Populations

Kenya hosts a substantial refugee population, many of whom are at heightened risk of food insecurity. In 2024, the U.S. government allocated $37 million to support refugees in Kenya, enabling the World Food Programme (WFP) to increase food rations and resume cash transfers in camps like Dadaab and Kakuma. These efforts are crucial in preventing malnutrition and promoting the self-reliance of displaced individuals.

Challenges and Ongoing Needs

Despite these efforts, challenges persist. The Global Hunger Index 2024 categorizes Kenya’s hunger level as “serious,” with indicators such as child stunting and undernourishment remaining high. Moreover, recent U.S. aid cuts have led to significant reductions in food assistance for refugees, with some receiving only 28% of the recommended food rations, putting vulnerable populations at further risk.

Funding shortfalls have also become a pressing challenge. In recent years, reductions in U.S. aid have forced humanitarian organizations to scale back food assistance. Such shortfalls endanger vulnerable populations and risk undoing years of progress in improving food security. Without sustained investment, cycles of hunger and malnutrition in Kenya could worsen, especially during climate shocks.

Another obstacle is climate instability. Kenya’s heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes its population highly vulnerable to droughts and floods. Extreme weather events have become more frequent, damaging crops, killing livestock and reducing access to safe water. While humanitarian assistance can provide short-term relief, long-term resilience requires greater investment in sustainable farming practices, climate adaptation and diversified food systems.

U.S. programs that combine food assistance with resilience-building measures are therefore vital. However, their reach remains limited compared to the scale of the crisis.

Looking Forward

The partnership between the U.S. and Kenya shows the importance of international cooperation in fighting hunger. U.S. assistance has helped millions of Kenyans access life-saving food, reduced rates of acute malnutrition among children and supported education through school meals. Often among the hardest hit, refugees have also benefited from direct food aid and cash transfers that restore dignity and choice in how families feed themselves.

Still, the persistence of hunger in Kenya serves as a reminder that humanitarian aid cannot be the only solution. Addressing root causes—poverty, inequality, climate instability and fragile health systems—is essential for long-term progress. Programs that integrate food assistance with agricultural development, women’s empowerment and climate adaptation can create more sustainable outcomes. The U.S., alongside Kenyan institutions and international partners, will need to continue expanding investments in these areas to prevent recurring food crises.

Ultimately, U.S. foreign aid is more than just emergency relief—it is an investment in human potential and stability. By ensuring children are well-nourished, families are food-secure and communities are resilient, these efforts contribute to Kenya’s broader development goals. While challenges remain, ongoing U.S. support provides a foundation of hope that Kenya can reduce hunger and malnutrition, even in the face of climate and economic pressures.

– Skylar Roy

Skylar is based in Carlsbad, California, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Shirika Plan: Rethinking the Kenyan Refugee Crisis

Shirika PlanKenya is currently hosting more than 850,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Many are fleeing conflict, repression and climate-related disasters in Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Those living in these camps rely heavily on humanitarian funding.

Kenya’s encampment policy requires refugees to live in two major camps, Dadaab and Kakuma, located in remote, arid regions of the country where agriculture is unfeasible. As a result of the U.S.’s humanitarian aid cuts, Kenya’s refugee camps were plunged into crisis.

Due to U.S. cuts, only 181 million out of 300 million people worldwide in need received aid in 2024. The impact of these cuts is especially evident in Kenyan refugee camps. Despite the ongoing refugee crisis, its government is rethinking its approach by implementing the Shirika Plan: a pioneering approach focusing on individual freedom and self-sufficiency instead of relying on foreign aid.

The Impact of Humanitarian Aid Cuts

The U.S. cuts to humanitarian aid under the Trump administration are having dire implications for those living in refugee camps. These cuts directly harm livelihoods and undermine refugee-led organizations that promote self-reliance.

The impact of these cuts was documented in a 2022 University of Oxford study in Kakuma that examined the effect of aid on the ground. Halfway through the study, the World Food Programme (WFP) was forced to cut assistance to the camp by 20%. This left people with a daily wage of $13.

Caloric intake in the camp dropped by 7%, with people eating a less diverse and lower-quality diet due to these cuts. One Somali refugee told the team of researchers, “After the aid reduction, the lives of refugees became hard. That was the money sustaining them… Hunger is visible.”

The situation has since worsened; in June 2025, the ration was cut again to the equivalent of $5 per month. In addition, frequent delays in distribution only exacerbate the Kenyan refugee crisis, leaving families with less than their basic nutritional needs. Because of this, Kenya has had to adopt a new approach to the refugee crisis.

The Shirika Plan

Born of the Refugee Act No.10 of 2021, which emphasised governmental commitment to refugee welfare and finding sustainable solutions, the Shirika Plan signalled a significant shift in refugee policy. A multiyear initiative that aims to transform camps into integrated settlements, this plan promotes the socioeconomic inclusion of around 83,000 refugees in northern Kenya.

Local initiatives such as the Kalobeyei Integrated Socioeconomic Development Plan (KISEDP) and the Garissa Integrated Socioeconomic Development Plan (GISEDP) aim to integrate refugees into Kenya’s development agenda. These programs produce what has been dubbed a “triple benefit”: enhancing self-reliance, reducing aid dependency and strengthening host communities’ economies. The Shirika Plan also begins to address the problem of waning humanitarian aid while promoting dignity among refugees.

However, as a relatively new initiative, the benefits need time to take shape. Kenya must adopt a comprehensive refugee management policy to achieve seamless coordination across Kenyan ministries, departments and humanitarian agencies in rolling out the plan.

The Next Steps

Born out of necessity, the Shirika Plan represents a shift in political outlook and a move toward sustainable, long-term solutions. Although still in its infancy, this pioneering approach breaks away from decades of refugee policy that confined displaced people to remote settlements and reliance on international aid.

– Libby Foxwell

Libby is based in Sherborne, Dorset, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr