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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

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The African Nation Leading the World: Uganda’s Refugees

Uganda's RefugeesHosting the most asylum-seekers in Africa and the fifth most in the world, Uganda offers refugees a safe and welcoming place. The country employs an open-door policy to help anyone in need. Currently, more than 1.7 million refugees live in Uganda, most from neighboring countries facing humanitarian crises. Many have come from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Somalia—countries battling war or terrorism. About 54% of Uganda’s refugees are children and 26% are women, many of whom have lost their families and endured severe sexual and physical violence. For many, Uganda is the first safe place they have experienced.

Uganda’s commitment to hosting refugees goes beyond providing shelter. The government, along with international organizations, has implemented initiatives to help refugees rebuild their lives. These efforts reflect the country’s broader approach to refugee welfare, turning policy into tangible support for millions of displaced people.

Support Available to Uganda’s Refugees

  • Land. Uganda offers refugees small plots of land to grow and cultivate food. About 78% of rural refugees own agricultural land. This not only helps refugees support themselves and their families but also boosts Uganda’s economy and is a key reason the country can house so many.
  • Education. All child refugees receive a free education. There are also initiatives beyond basic schooling, including programs for adults. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has worked in the country to help prevent gender-based violence (GBV). A total of 135,080 men, women and children took part in a program that increased awareness of GBV, particularly male accountability. In addition, 27% of child refugees aged 5 to 17 received support for psychosocial development and 20,000 parents and caregivers received positive parenting training to strengthen child well-being and safety.
  • Green Initiative. By December 2024, 68,062 refugee and host community households in Uganda had received energy-efficient cookstoves, covering 44.5% of refugee households since 2020 and reaching 75.6% of the 2024 response plan target. Refugees also produced 45.1 tons of briquettes, most of which were sold for income. The cookstoves improved daily life as well, providing a cleaner option that helps prevent respiratory issues.
  • Health Care. As well as receiving free basic health care, Ugandan refugees are vaccinated to prevent potential pandemics. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supplied 98.1% of refugees in Uganda with the measles vaccination. Although reports of outbreaks appeared in various refugee settlements, all were resolved with zero casualties.

The Future of Uganda’s Refugees

Uganda’s struggle with economic hardship raises questions about the future of refugees in the country. The number of struggling neighboring countries has led to a large influx of refugees, adding further stress on resources.

Although refugees feel safe, their quality of life remains imperfect. Schools and health facilities are overcrowded, reducing the quality of care and education for both refugees and hosts. In addition, 48% of asylum-seekers live in poverty and many blame Uganda’s self-reliance strategies and livelihood training. After receiving land, many refugees are responsible for their own survival, yet the training beforehand is not comprehensive. Beyond farming, job opportunities for refugees are limited, particularly since Uganda was already facing high unemployment before the influx of asylum seekers.

Multiple organizations are working to alleviate the pressure on resources. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is active in the country, partnering with local and global nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to provide various types of aid. UNICEF and GAVI address health concerns, including vaccination programs. In addition, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) supports 660,000 refugees in Uganda and recently received €5 million from the European Union (EU) to continue its mission. RISE is also working to improve education and aims to reach 85,372 children and 12,264 teachers.

Looking Ahead

Overall, to continue supporting vulnerable refugees, Uganda needs support and funding from global organizations. Better training for asylum seekers before they receive land, as well as access to more public facilities for the entire population, is also needed. This could be challenging, as countries around the world are reducing foreign aid and organizations are already struggling with funding. WFP, for example, had to halt food assistance to nearly one million refugees, while others received reduced rations. Uganda’s generosity has set a global example and the future of its refugees depends on continued international support.

– Lysia Wright

Lysia is based in Derby, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Working with Refugee Resettlement Sites

Refugee Resettlement SitesCatholic Charities in the Greater Boston area helps to resettle refugees from all over the world, including the countries of Afghanistan, Burma, Bhutan, Cape Verde, Cuba, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iraq, Liberia, Somalia, Sudan and Vietnam. These individuals and families face linguistic, economic, cultural and legal challenges and they help arrivals integrate into society. They offer families a place to live and job support by helping refugees find places to work as well as English language training.

The Borgen Project spoke with a volunteer who has worked as the lead of a community sponsorship site for the past two years about her experience working with the families and leading a team of volunteers. As a student and somebody who works with individuals with varying levels of immigration status, they did wish to remain anonymous. Asking her about her experience working with newly arriving families, specifically from Haiti and Cape Verde, at a location that focuses on refugee resettlement and integration into the community. 

Refugee Resettlement Camps

Resettlement happens when a conflict prevents refugees from being able to go home or they’re living in conditions that are dangerous or aren’t meeting their needs. Formerly, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) defines resettlement as the transfer of refugees from an asylum country to another state that has agreed to admit them. Often, resettlement requires the participation of many different agents, including different states, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), civil society and the communities that the refugees are relocating to.

Working with Refugees

The Borgen Project spoke with a volunteer about her experience working at a refugee resettlement camp for the past two years, asking what she does during her volunteer hours and what it is like working with the people there. The particular site they worked with was set up as a temporary housing facility for refugees coming into the area so that they could start to look for jobs. Their children, if they had any, could get acclimated in the school system and they could participate in English workshops. 

“During my past two years at this resettlement location, I’ve primarily worked with the children at the site, which has been a very fulfilling and insightful experience. Most of the families coming to this site are coming from Haiti and Cape Verde, meaning that, along with being in a new environment, there is a language barrier as well. The kids I’ve been working with speak a mix of French, Spanish, Portuguese and Creole while trying to learn English. Something I’ve been the most impressed by is how quick the kids, in particular, are able to learn English.”

Residents spend afternoons hanging out and playing with the kids. On some days, they are outside playing soccer or basketball. On other days, they are helping out with homework. “The kids at these sites are amazing, always looking out for their siblings and the other kids there. While some days are tougher than others, putting it into perspective, these kids are living in one-bedroom, one bathroom suites with their entire families, with other families next to and across the hall from them.” 

The Reality of Refugee Resettlement

Refugee resettlement is hard and the majority of refugees have made long journeys under tough circumstances and it takes a lot of support to get to a stable position. Organizations like Catholic Charities are just one example of NGOs that invest resources with the intent of helping refugees find a community that welcomes them with open arms. 

There are many aspects of the resettlement process and supporting and creating a space for the children is often an overlooked part of the process. Working with families, specifically the kids upon their arrival and helping them adjust, as well as being an outlet for them, is incredibly important but does not get as much recognition. Refugee resettlement also involves many critical components, including the legal work required for families and individuals. While volunteers at resettlement sites may not always contribute to the legal needs of refugees, donating their time and skills has proven to be just as valuable.

Looking Forward

Going forward, refugee resettlement remains an essential service supported by numerous NGOs and dedicated volunteers. People around the world face resettlement for many reasons and they often encounter linguistic, economic, cultural and legal challenges when they arrive. Through the work of NGOs, refugee resettlement programs provide the support needed to help individuals and families adjust and thrive in a new environment.

– Olivia Peters

Olivia is based in Newport, RI, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Social Remittances to Ukraine: Exchanging Ideas Across Borders

Social Remittances to UkraineThe story of Ukrainian refugees shows how migration can generate not just financial assistance, but also the transfer of ideas, skills and civic values. These “social remittances” can help Ukraine recover from war, resist aggression and build an economy less vulnerable to poverty.

Remittances, sums of money sent to another place, are often a way for migrants to continue relationships while abroad, a method for supporting their communities from a distance. Beyond financial remittances, some Ukrainian refugees have found another way to support their nation, planning to bring social remittances to Ukraine home with them. These ideas, skills and values can strengthen democratic institutions and create economic opportunity.

Poverty in Ukraine & Financial Remittances

According to the Economic Commission for Europe, poverty rates in Ukraine decreased by an estimated 30.5% from 2016-2021. In 2021, the estimated rate of people below the Ukrainian subsistence minimum (the minimum income required to cover basic living expenses) was 20.6%. Since the Russian invasion in 2022, the poverty rate has been on the rise. While there is a lack of data for 2022, the following year’s (2023) poverty rate in Ukraine was 35.5%, having increased 14.9% in just two years.

The Ukrainian National News reports that in 2024, remittances to Ukraine reached $9.6 billion. The report shares that, according to the National Bank of Ukraine, the top sources for these funds were the U.S., Israel and Germany.

Refugee Relocation

The Council on Foreign Relations estimates that since the Russian invasion, 2.9 million Ukrainians have fled to the Eastern border, entering Russia. Another 1.6 million refugees escaped to Poland, where they joined the 1.3 million Ukrainians that already migrated there. The remaining refugees headed to the Czech Republic, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia and other European nations.

Social/Intangible Remittances

As Silke Meyer, a professor of European Ethnology at the University of Innsbruck, shared,  remittances can extend beyond financial support. Migrants may also send back social capital, networks, knowledge and community norms.

Sociologist P. Levitt describes these as “social remittances,” ways of thinking and living that migrants transfer back to their home. Later research by Grabowska, professor of Social Sciences and Economics at Kozminski University, explains that the concept expanded into “intangible remittances,” encompassing professional and educational practices, attitudes towards mental health, disability, gender roles and political participation. Such exchanges are quietly political and can lay the groundwork for reducing poverty.

The Ukrainian context stands apart because the Russian invasion has forced millions to flee. In this setting, intangible remittances often “emerge[d] as urgent responses to national crisis, moral obligation, or collective recovery,” according to Grabowska. For the women in her study, displacement deepened their attachment to Ukraine. Their intent to bring home what they have learned reflects a will to see Ukraine become stronger, self-reliant and economically resilient.

Migrant Focus on Ukraine

One study participant noted that a work culture fostering development “is something that could benefit [the Ukrainian] workforce back home.” Another expressed a wish to see the hands-on learning and critical thinking she encountered abroad implemented in Ukrainian schools. Others spoke of professional flexibility, cross-cultural respect and greater inclusion for people with disabilities, values that also support long-term poverty reduction.

Grabowska’s work also explores the cumulative advantage effect, a theory explaining how people with more initial resources – money, education or recognition – tend to expand those advantages more quickly. Ukrainian refugees with these resources were better positioned to gather skills and networks abroad, which they then return as powerful remittances to Ukraine.

Unique Predictors

Beyond material resources, “higher civic engagement attitudes and autonomous reflexivity” were strong predictors of which refugees would benefit most from the cumulative advantage effect. War migrants who had a history of community activism and independent decision-making were “more than twice as likely” to gain advantages that could be sent back home. This points to social remittances as not just cultural or personal contributions, but explicitly civic and political, with the potential to influence economic growth and help address poverty in post-war Ukraine.

Future Remittances

The invasion forced Ukrainians into survival-based emigration, but it also created space to imagine a different future for the country. Some refugees plan to return permanently; others foresee a transnational lifestyle or contribution from afar. The only constants throughout the female war migrants’ interviews is their “emotional and symbolic ties to Ukraine” and “desire to contribute to its recovery.” Such commitments to restore and strengthen democratic, inclusive and resilient institutions are inherently political acts of resistance to attempts of domination and can lay the groundwork for reducing poverty by creating more equitable opportunities for all Ukrainians.

Benefits of Remittances

Ukraine is not the sole beneficiary of these contributions. The refugees see themselves as global citizens, fostering cooperation between Ukraine and their countries of residence. In sending back social remittances to Ukraine, they not only help their nation resist aggression but also share ideas that can strengthen anti-poverty efforts both locally and globally.

Whether through peacebuilding, civic participation or inclusive social practices, Ukrainian refugees are shaping conversations about the kind of world they, and their homeland, want to live in, one where the roots of poverty are addressed alongside the wounds of war. 

– Alyse Rhee

Alyse is based in Winter Garden, FL, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Hunger and Trauma Among Rohingya Children

Hunger and Trauma Among Rohingya ChildrenIn the world’s largest refugee settlement in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the crisis impacting the Rohingya children is double-edged: widespread hunger and deep psychological trauma. The good news is that proven, scalable solutions range from community-run nutrition services to play-based mental health support. With sustained funding, addressing hunger and trauma among Rohingya children is not a slogan; it’s an achievable goal.

Keeping Children Alive With Integrated Nutrition Services

UNICEF and its partners operate Integrated Nutrition Facilities within the camps. There, children below the age of 5 are routinely weighed and measured, screened with MUAC colour tapes and put on treatment plans. In 2021, these facilities treated 6,923 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

The organization exceeded its annual target, providing ready-to-use therapeutic food, deworming treatments and follow-up care. It also offered counseling for parents on breastfeeding and complementary feeding, reaching 14,000 pregnant and lactating mothers with infant and young child feeding support. Indeed, these cost-effective, life-saving services are making a real difference.

Restoring Food Rations and Protecting Nutrition Budgets

When rations are cut, hunger spikes quickly. New International Rescue Committee (IRC) data reveal that between 2022 and 2023, the number of Rohingya refugees without adequate food jumped from 44% to 70%. Nearly half of young children displayed physical signs of malnutrition and fewer than one in six children ate three meals daily.

Restoring rations to prior levels and ensuring predictable funding would immediately blunt wasting and protect child development, whilst addressing hunger and trauma among Rohingya children.

Healing in Crisis

A large randomized controlled trial tested BRAC’s Home-Based Humanitarian Play Lab (HPL), which offered weekly peer-led sessions for Rohingya mothers and children under 2. The program significantly improved mothers’ mental well-being. It enhanced children’s developmental outcomes through simple, low-cost activities led by trained Rohingya “Mother Volunteers.” In settings where specialist care is scarce, HPL provides a practical, scalable way to deliver psychosocial support.

Similarly, BRAC’s broader Humanitarian Play Lab approach is home-based for ages 0–3 and centre-based for ages 3–5. It creates safe, culturally rooted spaces where trained Rohingya Play Leaders guide activities. These activities build language, problem-solving skills and resilience. Furthermore, evaluations in Cox’s Bazar show gains in children’s development and improvements in maternal mental health. The model is now being adapted to other countries, offering the kind of community-powered intervention donors can scale.

Furthermore, child-friendly spaces run with UNICEF support give children predictable routines to play, learn and feel safe. This is critical in protecting them from toxic stress. These hubs are also entry points for early learning, protection, nutrition and health services referrals.

Nutrition + Mental Health = Better Outcomes

None of these solutions works in isolation. In December 2021, UNICEF Bangladesh reported that one-third of Rohingya children under 5 were stunted due to poor diets and repeated illness. Combining nutrition services with caregiver counseling and play-based psychosocial support multiplies impact, helping children recover physically while stimulating their brains for long-term learning and well-being. Trained Rohingya community members are already delivering this integrated package.

– Arabella D’Aniello

Arabella is based in Toronto, Canada and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Reducing Poverty in Ukraine: From Nonprofits to IKEA

Poverty in UkraineWith ongoing humanitarian threats and a national focus redirected toward wartime efforts following Russia’s illegal 2022 invasion, Ukraine is experiencing a rise in poverty.

Poverty in Ukraine

Despite recent negative trends, Ukraine’s national poverty decreased from 2016 through 2021, with poverty levels of 51.1% declining to 20.6%, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. With the help of sustained economic growth, increased income, improvements in the labor market and government policies, Ukraine ensured a reduction in poverty.

Once the war began in 2022, government policies and initiatives, including the Household Budget Surveys (HBS), were canceled because of disruptions and the need to consolidate funds. According to the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the government implemented a program to modernize state statistical methods and initiatives, including the HBS, reinforcing Ukraine’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through 2030.

With these and other poverty-reducing policies now on hold, continued international support and donations are imperative to help reduce poverty in Ukraine.

National Organizations Supplying Donations

  1. Razom for Ukraine. This is a nonprofit that uses international donations to reduce poverty in Ukraine and support those affected by the war. Its goals include delivering supplies to medics and civilians and promoting education and advocacy to build public support for international policies backing Ukraine. Donations have provided hygiene and first aid kits for families in war-devastated areas, supplies for field medics and repair kits for damaged homes. According to Razom for Ukraine, these items, together with broader support programs, help communities facing violence hold onto hope for a future with reduced poverty and recovery from the impact of Russia’s invasion. Razom for Ukraine partners with other nonprofits and organizations to deliver humanitarian aid across multiple sectors. One example is its collaboration with Building Ukraine Together, highlighted by CEO Dora Chomiak in an interview with Columbia University’s “Journal of International Affairs.” This partnership helps physically and figuratively rebuild households so Ukrainians can improve living conditions despite large-scale destruction. Through international donations, Razom for Ukraine reduces poverty by strengthening communities and expanding access to jobs and education.
  2. Nova Ukraine. Another nonprofit that sends international donations to reduce poverty in Ukraine and improve Ukrainians’ well-being is Nova Ukraine. Nova Ukraine shares similar goals with Razom for Ukraine, focusing on humanitarian aid and raising awareness. Its volunteers work on supplying resources and aid, running outreach programs and supporting refugee initiatives, with some volunteers based in Ukraine.Like Razom for Ukraine, Nova Ukraine partners with other organizations to extend aid to those in need. One such partnership is with UNICEF USA, which focuses on supporting children and families in Ukraine. Helping families directly and supporting children from devastated communities enables current and future generations to persevere. This creates stronger ties and a unified front in rebuilding Ukraine during and after the war.

IKEA’s Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine

IKEA, a Swedish furniture and home goods company, has taken steps, along with partners, to address the humanitarian issues that arise from the war. After Russia’s initial invasion in 2022, IKEA halted exports and imports to Russia and Belarus. Additionally, IKEA and its partners have donated millions of dollars to aid organizations, hoping to support services and individuals in Ukraine impacted by the war.

These donations also support medical organizations and allow medics and doctors in Ukraine to receive modern equipment, improving the country’s medical system. These supplies benefit civilians, enlisted military and members of international aid organizations near and at the frontlines, maintaining direct humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

Within IKEA, the Ingka Group, a retail partner, donated furniture, toys and other goods for displaced families and Ukrainians fleeing the nation at the start of the war. The donations were crucial for supplying UNICEF with the necessities of housing and caring for individuals and added humane relief for children. IKEA and its partners help reduce poverty in Ukraine by supporting organizations that assist refugees while creating and preserving jobs and livelihoods for Ukrainians in need.

– Avery Kachmarsky

Avery is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr