Tag Archive for: Refugees

Posts

, ,

Fighting Malnutrition in Refugee Camps With Microgreens

Malnutrition in Refugee CampsIn many parts of the world, malnutrition in refugee camps remains a persistent and deadly challenge. Refugee families often lack access to nutrient-rich foods due to limited agricultural space, inconsistent supply chains and poor infrastructure. Yet, a promising solution is emerging, one that requires minimal space, water or sunlight: microgreens.

The Power of Microgreens

Microgreens are tender, immature greens harvested just after sprouting, typically within seven to 21 days. Though small in size, they hold quite a bit of nutritional value. According to the Cleveland Clinic, microgreens are rich in vitamins C, E and K and beta-carotene and antioxidants that support heart health, reduce inflammation and may help fight chronic disease. Their concentrated nutrient content makes them an effective dietary supplement, especially in low-resource settings.

Since microgreens grow quickly and require minimal space, water and equipment, they are well-suited for refugee camps where access to fresh produce is limited. They can thrive in shallow trays with basic soil or growing mats, using only sunlight or low-energy lights. This makes them an efficient, low-cost solution for improving food security and nutrition in overcrowded and under-resourced environments.

Growing Health at Home

Families in refugee settlements across Lebanon and Jordan are improving their nutrition through small-scale gardening initiatives. Supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and local partners, refugees are adopting keyhole gardens. This includes circular raised beds that use compost and greywater to grow various vegetables in spaces of limit and restriction. These gardens are built using readily available, recycled materials, making them affordable and sustainable for displaced households.

UNHCR reports that such gardens help increase access to fresh produce and empower families to participate actively in food production. By cultivating vegetables at home, refugees can supplement their diets with fresh, nutritious ingredients while reducing reliance on food aid.

Growing Solutions Across Africa

Refugees are improving their food security and nutrition in parts of sub-Saharan Africa through sustainable gardening practices. In Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp, programs like the permagarden initiative have trained residents to grow vegetables using climate-resilient techniques that conserve water and enhance soil health. These small plots can be built with locally available materials and thrive in limited space, making them ideal for approaching malnutrition in refugee camps.

According to Devex, participants in the permagarden program reported increased access to diverse vegetables and greater household nutrition. Beyond physical health, gardening has also helped reduce stress and build a sense of purpose among participants. However, as the Humanitarian Practice Network notes, efforts like these face challenges from environmental extremes, such as drought and flooding, which threaten the fragile resilience systems in Kakuma.

Organizations Making an Impact

The Lemon Tree Trust is transforming how displaced communities interact with their environments by promoting gardening as a tool for resilience, dignity and self-reliance. Working primarily across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in fighting malnutrition in refugee camps, the organization helps residents reclaim unused spaces for growing food and flowers. Through initiatives like garden competitions, community garden spaces and the distribution of seeds and plants, the Lemon Tree Trust supports displaced families in creating green spaces that nourish both body and spirit. These gardens improve access to fresh produce and foster community cohesion, mental well-being and a sense of home in uncertain settings.

Mercy Corps is also taking bold steps to support refugee self-reliance by integrating food security initiatives like microgreen farming into broader economic and social development programs. Its approach goes beyond immediate relief, aiming to unlock the long-term potential of displaced individuals. For example, Mercy Corps has significantly invested in job training, agricultural innovation and women-led entrepreneurship. These efforts are helping refugees transition from reliance on aid to lead productive, independent lives. Through partnerships and strategic funding, the organization is scaling initiatives offering nutritional and economic benefits, enabling communities to thrive even in the most challenging environments.

A Path Toward Self-Reliance

Microgreens are not a complete solution to malnutrition in refugee camps, but they offer an affordable, fast-growing and scalable way to improve health outcomes. More importantly, they place the power of food production back into the hands of the people who need it most. As international aid agencies look for sustainable ways to enhance food security, microgreens represent a small but mighty innovation with the potential to transform lives.

– Vasara Mikulevicius

Vasara is based in West Bloomfield, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

, ,

Migrant Communities in Portugal: Gentrification and Deportation

Migrant Communities in PortugalGentrification in traditionally working-class neighborhoods in cities like Lisbon, Portugal, is increasing house prices. At the same time, the government’s recent plans to deport thousands of migrants are raising concerns. Together, these changes threaten multiethnic neighborhoods and immigrant identities across Portugal. However, many organizations are resisting this by empowering migrant communities in Portugal through a range of projects.

Deportation and the Rise of Populism

The recent rise in far-right populism and political strategy ahead of a general election has led to plans to deport 18,000 irregular migrants across Portugal. Luis Montenegro, leader of the center-right party Democratic Alliance and current Prime Minister, has faced criticism for announcing the deportation plans just before a snap election in May 2025 to gain voters. However, the Democratic Alliance didn’t win a majority. The head of the Socialist Party, Pedro Nuno Santos, resigned after winning the same number of seats as Chega, a relatively new far-right party rooted in anti-immigration rhetoric.

According to a Portuguese Migration and Home Affairs Office publication, attitudes toward immigrants among Portuguese people depend on their country of origin. Attitudes toward migrants from the Indian subcontinent, including countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, are more negative. Moreover, 68% of the public believe Portugal’s immigration policies are too liberal. They also think that the presence of immigrants impacts their salaries, despite the country’s economic growth depending on sectors where most employees are migrants (such as agriculture and construction).

Gentrification and Touristification

Like many popular destinations, Portugal has become a victim of its success within the tourism industry. Lisbon had 5.6 million visitors in 2023 alone. Thanks to the rise of Airbnb, house prices are rapidly increasing while the availability of public housing is diminishing. In addition to touristification, digital nomads arriving in Portugal with higher salaries have contributed heavily to gentrification.

Although rent and house prices have risen by 120% in cities such as Lisbon, wage levels have remained stagnant. This means many people cannot afford to continue living in the neighborhoods where they grew up. Moreover, some of the neighborhoods most affected by gentrification are home to some of the most multicultural communities in Portugal, meaning that immigrants and working-class people are being pushed to the peripheries of their cities.

Organizations Empowering Migrant Communities

Despite the deportations of migrants and the cultural erosion of their neighborhoods, some grassroots organizations are stepping up. They support and empower migrant communities while resisting the effects of mass tourism, digital nomadism and far-right politics.

  1. The Lisbon Project. One of the most notable organizations empowering migrant communities in Portugal is the Lisbon Project. It is a nonprofit organization (NGO) founded in 2016 to strengthen migrant and refugee communities across Lisbon and make them feel a sense of belonging. The charity currently has 5,952 registered community members from 250 countries, with the top nationalities being Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Algeria.

    Focusing on integration and empowerment, the Lisbon Project operates across various domains, including community life, education, employability and social care. Some of its specific projects include the Benevolence Program, which provides free items such as furniture and home appliances to new arrivals). Others include the Portuguese Welcome Course and free Community Dinners, among many others. Despite currently only operating in Lisbon, the organization aims to expand into three hubs across Portugal by the end of 2030.

  2. Renovar a Mouraria Foundation. Renovar a Mouraria is another Lisbon-based NGO. However, it focuses its support on the multicultural Mouraria neighborhood, which has become a home to multiple immigrant and refugee communities in Lisbon. However, due to the neighborhood’s abandonment and marginalization, residents have been affected by drug trafficking, rising social tensions and gentrification.

    Working with various stakeholders, including the Lisbon City Council, Renovar a Mouraria has been coordinating community-strengthening services since 2008. These include integrated social support, migrant regularization, Portuguese language courses and vocational training. In addition to providing practical services, the NGO has fostered creativity and communication in the neighborhood. One example is Secondary Residence, a collaborative project where a group of residents produced a collective reflection. It was based on their interactions with local people and their experiences living in Mouraria.

  3. The Portuguese Refugee Council (CPR). Similarly, the CPR is empowering migrant communities in Portugal and addressing their marginalization by deconstructing myths about refugees. It is also providing designated spaces, including three Refugee Reception Centers.

    Operating since 1991, the CPR has supported 14,640 refugees and asylum seekers in Portugal through advocacy, legal support, international protection and training sessions. Moreover, the CPR runs multiple services and projects specifically supporting child refugees, such as the CPR daycare and the Shelter for Refugee Children.

Final Remarks

Multiculturalism and the rich history of working-class neighborhoods across Portuguese cities deserve celebration and preservation. Thanks to the amazing organizations empowering migrant communities in Portugal, resettled populations can continue to thrive and network, fostering creativity, cultural exchange and positive integration.

– Clodagh Dowson

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

Photo: Flickr

,

Mental Health Support in Gaza: A Growing Humanitarian Priority

Mental Health Support in Gaza: A Growing Humanitarian PriorityAs the war in Gaza continues, about 2 million people have been displaced, many without access to essential services. While humanitarian organizations continue trying provide deliveries of food, clean drinking water and sanitation supplies, one critical need remains under-addressed: mental health support. A 2024 Lancet Psychiatry article reported that more than 50% of Gaza’s children showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) even before the recent conflict. Prolonged exposure to trauma, displacement and instability has intensified mental health challenges across all age groups.

Mental Health in Gaza

During emergencies, mental health support often receives less attention than physical needs. However, psychological trauma, if left untreated, can have long-term consequences for individuals and communities. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 495,000 children in Gaza are currently dealing with mental health issues. Without access to support, these issues may worsen and contribute to a cycle of poverty, as shown in a 2023 World Bank report that linked untreated mental health conditions to reduced economic opportunity in conflict zones.

Several barriers hinder access to care in Gaza. Health infrastructure has been severely damaged, psychiatric services are limited and stigma continues to discourage people from seeking help. Years of underinvestment and cultural misunderstanding have made it difficult for many to recognize mental health as a critical component of well-being.

The Gaza Community Mental Health Program

While organizations like WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) have expanded mental health support, the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP) remains the only NGO in the region dedicated solely to mental health. Since 1990, GCMHP has provided community-based psychological services, working to break stigma and improve access.

The organization continues operating despite the destruction of several facilities. Its hotline offers free phone consultations, while field workers travel between camps to provide counseling. GCMHP has already delivered psychological first aid to more than 12,000 individuals affected by the conflict. Its teams report symptoms consistent with complex trauma, including emotional numbness, dissociation and social withdrawal. These conditions often worsen as people remain surrounded by reminders of their trauma in destroyed neighborhoods and overcrowded shelters.

What Success Looks Like

GCMHP’s impact becomes clear through individual stories. A case involved a six-year-old named Mohammad, who witnessed multiple bombings and suffered nightmares, anxiety and bedwetting. GCMHP diagnosed him with PTSD and designed a recovery plan involving drawing therapy and family sessions. Mohammad’s symptoms improved over time, reflecting the power of early intervention and consistent care. GCMHP continues helping survivors rebuild emotional stability, one patient at a time.

The Road Ahead for Mental Health Support in Gaza

Mental health recovery requires sustained commitment. Short-term interventions cannot fully address long-term psychological distress. Aid organizations aim to integrate mental health services into all levels of humanitarian response. GCMHP and UNRWA have both urged greater investment in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) as part of emergency relief programs. Expanding access to these services not only reduces suffering but also supports long-term recovery and resilience. Ensuring mental health remains a central part of aid in Gaza could play a vital role in helping communities rebuild after conflict, both physically and emotionally.

– Collier Simpson

Collier is based in Savannah, GA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

, ,

Addressing Mental Health in Mauritania

Mental Health in MauritaniaMauritania is a country located in northwestern Africa and it severely lacks mental health care. The absence of basic necessities, ongoing economic instability and weak social support systems contribute to the development of mental health issues. Additionally, existing vulnerabilities such as discrimination and social stigma often intensify these struggles.

As of 2025, there is no publicly available data more recent than the 2004 joint study by Mauritania’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). According to The New Humanitarian, the study found that approximately 34% of the country’s population had experienced a mental health issue. This encompasses a range of conditions including stress, depression and schizophrenia.

Poverty’s Effect on Mental Health

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as of 2022, one in four children lives in extreme poverty and 80% are exposed to some form of violence. This contributes to chronic stress and a heightened risk of mental health disorders.

Poverty remains one of the most significant barriers to both physical and mental health in Mauritania. According to the World Bank, rural areas bear the brunt of deprivation due to underdeveloped infrastructure and limited access to essential services. Many Mauritanians rely on informal or subsistence work, which offers little to no financial security, health insurance or protection against job loss.

This instability contributes to chronic stress, especially in households already dealing with illness, trauma or displacement. According to the World Bank, in these communities, even basic health services can be financially and geographically inaccessible, making mental health in Mauritana support a distant priority. The lack of income, combined with social stigma and institutional neglect, keeps many individuals trapped in a cycle where untreated mental health in Mauritania conditions both stem from and contribute to extreme poverty.

Having only one psychiatric hospital, the Nouakchott Centre for Specialised Medicine, with a limited number of beds, the population of Mauritania has very limited access to mental health care. According to Radio France Internationale (RFI), most patients only stay for a few days due to there being a limited number of beds and staff. The hospital only has 20 rooms, according to RFI.

Economic Toll of Untreated Mental Illnesses

The consequences of untreated mental illness in Mauritania extend far beyond individual suffering. They create a significant, long-term burden on the nation’s already fragile economy. Mental health disorders often limit a person’s ability to attend school, maintain employment or care for family members. In a country where 90.9% of Mauritania’s total employment is informal as of 2017, according to the Global Economy, any loss in productivity can have immediate and devastating effects on household income. This is especially damaging for families living at or below the poverty line, who lack savings, insurance or access to consistent medical care.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it is estimated that depression and anxiety cost the global economy more than $1 trillion each year in lost productivity. Individuals experiencing mental illness often drop out of school or are unable to secure jobs, reducing their lifelong earning potential. According to the United Nations Foundations, in many cases, caregiving responsibilities fall to women and girls, who may leave school or the workforce to support relatives, further entrenching gender and economic inequalities.

Long-Term Impact

According to a study conducted by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department in 2016, untreated mental illness can lead to higher health care costs in the long term, as conditions worsen and require more intensive interventions.

Untreated mental illnesses can also lead to social issues such as homelessness. The NIH reported that in 2021, more than 20% of people who experience homelessness also have a mental illness.

Expanding access to mental health care in Mauritania, training professionals locally and integrating psychological support into primary care could reduce long-term public spending while improving workforce participation and overall quality of life. According to the WHO, “every $1 invested in scaling up treatment for depression and anxiety leads to a return of $4 in improved health and productivity.”

Voices From Nouakchott

Despite limited staff, visitors and patients of the Nouakchott Centre for Specialised Medicine are satisfied with their visits. For example, in 2007, according to TNH, Dianaba Dia took her child to see a psychiatrist at the hospital for violent seizures.

“He was a doctor just like any other,” Dia told TNH. “What counts for me though is that since we saw him my daughter has got better.”

Additionally, the scarcity of mental health resources also profoundly affects individuals like Sidi Lemen after a failed attempt to emigrate to the United States in 2025. According to RFI, this setback led to depression and subsequent substance abuse. He sought help from the Nouakchott Centre for Specialised Medicine. However, due to limited resources, he was only admitted for a few days, highlighting the pressing need for expanded mental health services in Mauritania.

“We need to increase the number of beds,” Dr. Mohamed Lemine Abeidi told RFI. “Lots of patients travel long distances to come here, and there’s no other psychiatric care infrastructure.”

Mauritania faces significant challenges in providing mental health care not only because of the limited number of beds, but also due to a scarcity of trained professionals. According to France 24, all of the country’s psychiatrists have received their training abroad, highlighting the absence of local educational programs in this field.

Hope for Health Care

Mauritania’s mental health crisis is deeply intertwined with poverty. However, recent initiatives offer a glimmer of hope. The World Bank has launched a national program aimed at improving health services for approximately 2.5 million people, focusing on women, children and adolescents in underserved communities. This program aims to improve primary health care and increase access to mental health services.

Additionally, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is working closely with the Mauritanian government to integrate refugees into national healthcare systems, including mental health support. These collaborative efforts aim to build a more inclusive and resilient health infrastructure.

Despite these promising developments, significant challenges remain. According to Alima, the Mbera refugee camp is operating beyond its capacity, housing more than 116,000 refugees in a space designed for 80,000. This overcrowding exacerbates the strain on already limited mental health resources.

– Clarissa Dean

Clarissa is based in Bowling Green, KY, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

, ,

Nagorno-Karabakh: Post-War Recovery of Refugees

Nagorno-KarabakhNagorno-Karabakh is a small territory in the South Caucasus, between the regions of Armenia and Azerbaijan. These two states have contested this piece of land since the first war in the 1990s, with 30,000 casualties and significant displacements after Armenia took control of the territory. The conflict escalated in 2020 when Azerbaijan reclaimed a large part of Nagorno-Karabakh territory, along with the support of its ally, Turkey.

Russia moderated the ceasefire due to the shared ties with both nations; however, tension prevailed. In 2022, a blockade by Azerbaijani activists at the Lachin corridor prevented the free movement of food and essential goods. Both parties accused each other of posing threats, which was not confirmed. What remains clear is the consequent humanitarian crisis leading to an urgent post-war recovery of Nagorno-Karabakh refugees.

Blockade of Lachin Corridor

The Azerbaijani military operation led to the displacement of thousands of ethnic Armenians from their homes. The blockade in the Lachin corridor left the population facing a severe shortage of resources essential to survival, such as medical and food supplies. The Azerbaijani government has been criticized internationally due to its failure to ensure a safe passage for the population and human rights violations.

The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) and Russian peacekeepers tried sending aid, which the Azerbaijani administration had blocked, alleging unauthorized objects among them.

Displacement and Daily Struggles

Thirteen-year-old Natalie Musayelian fled Nagorno-Karabakh with her family. On her way, she collected berries, stones and a branch, keeping all the items in a small box of chocolates and the key to her house. Currently, she lives in Armenia with her aunt and grandmother. She misses her home every day and cherishes these objects as memories and comfort after the loss. Her story is just one of many people who were displaced from their homes due to the conflict.

Many refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh have fled to the capital of Armenia, Yerevan and the region of Syunik. Armenia has already opened shelters and provided social aid for the displaced population. The U.N. launched a $97 million funding appeal to ease the burden on the volunteers and the Armenian host community. However, it anticipates further movement of people as they search for employment and long-term housing.

The Role of the US Foreign Aid

In 2023, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power visited Armenia after a disproportionate number of displacements. She announced $11.5 million in U.S. humanitarian aid, providing essential supplies and psychosocial services. The collection of refugee testimonies enabled the criticism of the blockade. Furthermore, they reaffirmed the high level of concern for a post-war recovery of Nagorno-Karabakh refugees.

Furthermore, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) hosted a two-day visit from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) to assess support for refugee families. The delegation collaborated with local officials, social workers and even families, such as a grandmother in Kotayk struggling with her grandchildren’s care. USAID’s BHA provided a $1.13 million grant for emergency food assistance, which helped 30,000 refugees. Additionally, from February to September 2024, food cards and parcels were distributed to alleviate short-term needs, ensuring the families’ well-being.

– Sara Arias Saiz

Sara is based in Leipzig, Germany and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

The Power of Refugee Entrepreneurship in Rebuilding Futures

Refugee EntrepreneurshipFor the millions displaced by war, persecution, or natural disasters, rebuilding their lives is an overwhelming challenge. Yet amid the uncertainty of displacement, a powerful force is emerging: refugee entrepreneurship. Across regions often overlooked by global media, displaced individuals are turning hardship into opportunity by creating small businesses, generating income and restoring dignity in their host communities.

In countries bordering conflict zones, where formal job opportunities are scarce and refugees often face legal uncertainties, entrepreneurship emerges as both a lifeline and a source of empowerment. Many are launching bakeries, electronic repair stands and food stalls—ventures that reflect resilience and draw upon rich cultural traditions.

Uganda: A Refugee Economy in Action

One example can be seen in Uganda, home to more than 1.6 million refugees, primarily from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the settlements of northern Uganda, informal markets have flourished. There, refugee-led businesses provide vital goods and services not only to fellow refugees but also to local Ugandan populations. This exchange fosters economic integration and builds social cohesion.

Key to this entrepreneurial growth is access to microcredit and skills training. Local NGOs and community-based organizations play a central role, offering workshops on financial literacy, digital skills and basic business management. Though resources are often scarce, these initiatives help refugees turn personal talents into viable livelihoods.

The Rise of Informal Businesses in Jordan

In Jordan, where more than 600,000 Syrian refugees reside, informal businesses have sprung up in camps and urban areas alike. While regulatory hurdles remain, particularly regarding business permits and movement, many Syrians have found ways to offer services such as hairdressing, tutoring or mobile phone sales. These businesses reflect both resilience and the desire to reclaim agency in an environment often defined by limitations.

Despite the barriers, refugee entrepreneurship thrives because of its adaptability. Refugees are uniquely positioned to identify gaps in local markets and respond with innovative solutions. In many cases, their businesses introduce new flavors, fabrics, techniques and perspectives that enrich the local culture.

Critically, the impact of refugee entrepreneurship extends beyond economic self-sufficiency. It cultivates hope and purpose, rebuilding identities fractured by displacement. It also challenges dominant narratives that portray refugees solely as victims or burdens. By creating jobs, paying taxes and participating in local economies, refugee entrepreneurs are demonstrating their potential as contributors to the future of their communities.

Policy, Legal Barriers Remain

Significant challenges still hinder these initiatives. Policy frameworks in many host countries remain restrictive, limiting refugees’ ability to register businesses, open bank accounts or move freely. Advocacy and inclusive policies are necessary to ensure that refugee entrepreneurship is not confined to the informal sector. Recognition of their economic potential must be matched by legal and institutional support.

In places where resources are limited, community-driven models of support have proven effective. Peer mentorship and shared workspaces are just a few of the grassroots strategies helping displaced individuals launch and sustain their businesses.

Refugee Entrepreneurship: The Future

As the global refugee population surpasses 100 million, according to the World Bank, the need for durable, dignified solutions has never been greater. Empowering refugees through entrepreneurship is not just a path toward economic stability; it is a pathway to healing, agency and long-term development. Refugees are more than their displacement. Through refugee entrepreneurship, they are redefining their futures—not as dependents, but as business owners, innovators and agents of change.

– Rhasna Albuquerque

Rhasna is based in Fortaleza, Brazil and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

6 Organizations Helping Refugees from Venezuela in Colombia

venezuela refugees Over the years, Venezuela has been struggling with an unstable economy and poverty across a vast number of its population. In fact, according to the Human Rights Watch (HRW), less than 8.8 million people out of the total population of nearly 29 million are not suffering from multidimensional poverty. That is only about 30% of the entire country’s population. This leads many Venezuelans to leave their country in search of better opportunities that are not present in their country. Most of these people often flee to other Latin American countries, with the most popular place being Colombia, with almost 3 million refugees from Venezuela as of 2023.

However, despite moving to Colombia, they still need support to help them above the poverty line. Fortunately, numerous organizations are assisting the Venezuelans in Colombia to overcome this crisis. Here are a few of them and what they do:

International Rescue Committee

Founded in 1933 by Albert Einstein to help Germans flee the Nazi regime, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a humanitarian non-governmental organization that support refugees from and residing all over the world. Later on, it expanded to the rest of Europe and in modern times, it assists refugees from all over the world, including the refugees from Venezuela in Colombia. Its main work in Colombia includes providing access to health care to the Venezuelans and ensuring the safety of their minors. The number of people it helped as of 2020 is 87,000.

HIAS

Originally established in 1903 as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, HIAS is another organization that focuses on global refugee aid. According to its website, HIAS has helped more than 150,000 refugees from Venezuela in their Colombia branch, mainly with economic inclusion programs and giving the refugees legal support for living in the new country.

ZOA International

ZOA International is a non-governmental organization that focuses on improving the living standards of impoverished people in multiple countries, including Colombia. While it does not specifically focus on refugees, the organization has the refugees from Venezuela as a major demographic that it supports in its efforts to help the Colombians in need, as many of them are in the country’s slums.

Its main method of support in the country focuses on providing food, water and implementing hygiene improvements to the people they help. For refugees specifically, it also gives emergency aid to provide them with better access to food and water.

Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a non-governmental organization that provides humanitarian aid to countries that are facing some form of insecurity, including economic instability. In Colombia, it helps the country’s most impoverished, including the refugees from Venezuela. In Colombia, its main work for the refugees from Venezuela are mainly emergency support such as money reserves, medical aid and providing internet in their shelters.

Project Hope

Project Hope is an organization that focuses on providing health relief to countries in need. Originally founded in 1958, it has provided health services all over the world by working with other organizations and often help to introduce systemic changes to the country’s health system.

In Colombia, the organization gives to the refugees from Venezuela by helping to train doctors, giving the refugees access to maternal health services and providing them with better access to essential items like pharmaceuticals or other medical supplies.

Education Cannot Wait

Founded in 2016, Education Cannot Wait is an organization working with the United Nations that focuses on giving refugee children better education opportunities, often leading to them breaking the poverty cycles in their families. Its main work in Colombia includes giving the children of the refugees from Venezuela safer environments, especially for female students. According to its website, the organization has helped more than 130,000 children in Colombia.

These are only a few of the organizations that are helping these refugees survive and overcome poverty in their new home of Colombia. While it is unclear if and when the economic crisis in Venezuela will end, the efforts of organizations like these and the people who support them can significantly help fight poverty for the refugees from Venezuela.

– Jose Gabriel Lopez

Jose is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Refugee Education: A Catalyst for Development

Refugee Education: A Catalyst for Development In a world marked by record levels of displacement, refugee education has emerged not only as a moral imperative but as a cornerstone of sustainable development and global stability. More than 114 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide, including 14.8 million school-aged refugees, half of whom are out of school. The question is no longer whether to educate these children, but how and with what resources. While primary education often garners the spotlight in humanitarian efforts, post-primary education unlocks leadership potential, vocational skills and long-term empowerment. Yet access to secondary and tertiary education remains tragically limited for refugees.

According to the UNHCR 2024 Education Report, just 42% of refugee children make it to secondary school, compared to a global average of 77%. This number decreases even more dramatically in tertiary education, falling to 7% compared with a 42% global average. This disparity reflects a broader failure to provide refugee youth with the tools to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to society. However, it also presents a transformative opportunity: to reposition refugee education as a catalyst, not a cost, for development.

Secondary Education: A Critical Gap

Primary school enrollment for refugees has made modest gains in recent years. About 65% of refugee children attend primary school, according to the UNHCR’s 2024 Education Report. However, the transition to secondary school remains a significant challenge. Several key barriers block access:

  • Financial constraints, including tuition and ancillary costs.
  • Legal and documentation issues.
  • Language and curriculum barriers.
  • Gender-based obstacles, such as early marriage or caregiving roles.
  • Discrimination within host communities.

Financial challenges are particularly stark. Educating a refugee secondary student costs about 30% more than educating a national student. In low-income countries, the annual cost for a national student averages $181, compared to $244 for a refugee. Despite the higher costs, international funding models rarely account for this disparity. Refugee education remains tied to short-term humanitarian frameworks, often leaving adolescents stranded between basic literacy and real opportunity.

Higher Education: Breaking New Ground

If secondary education is the missing middle, higher education is the next frontier for refugee inclusion. In a webinar hosted by the University of Winchester, Daniel Mutanda, an academic and advocate for sanctuary initiatives, emphasized that access to higher education often depends on circumstances beyond refugees’ control. “in many places, too many places, restrictive regulations and limited resources prevent individuals from pursuing their educational aspirations, making access to higher education a matter of geographic luck rather than a guaranteed right,” Mutanda said.

Barriers include being categorized as international students, which makes tuition unaffordable and excludes them from public financial aid. Legal status also determines access to education and future stability.

Mutanda introduced the concept of the “higher education border,” a powerful framework that highlights how multiple layers of exclusion operate: from lack of recognized qualifications and language proficiency to bureaucratic barriers and systemic discrimination.

“for those seeking sanctuary, what would be a or what could be a smooth transition in their journey is riddled with complex barriers. So often, the experience people have is hope and ambition quickly turning into feelings of helplessness and despair,” he said, describing the experience of refugee youth denied access. “So common advice that we’ve heard, I’ve heard is just to wait until your immigration status changes, which effectively puts people’s lives on hold.”

Refugee-led advocacy movements are now shaping the future of higher education. Former Sanctuary Scholars are leading initiatives like the Universities of Sanctuary network and organizations such as the Tertiary Refugee Student Network, pushing for systemic reform on local, national and global stages. Their leadership aims to meet a bold target: achieving 15% enrollment of refugee youth in higher education by 2030.

Case Study: UNICEF’s Let Us Learn

Programs like UNICEF’s Let Us Learn offer successful models for scaling refugee education. Operating in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Liberia, Madagascar and Nepal, the program addresses barriers across early childhood, primary, secondary and vocational education. Accelerated education programs in Bangladesh achieved gains of up to 59 percentage points in core subject tests. In Nepal, more than 89% of girls enrolled in accelerated programs transitioned into formal secondary schools. The program emphasizes access, quality and retention, integrating community engagement, vocational skills training and flexible schooling models to support marginalized adolescents, particularly girls.

Toward a New Paradigm

To unlock the potential of refugees, the current education model must evolve. Key changes include:

  • Shift from short-term humanitarian funding to long-term development investment
  • Expand support beyond primary education, addressing secondary and tertiary levels
  • Institutionalize access rights, not just scholarships, for refugees
  • Center refugee voices in designing and evaluating education programs
  • Tailor solutions to national and community contexts

Moving Forward

Expanding access to education for displaced youth contributes to long-term resilience, workforce development and social inclusion. Supporting educational pathways, especially beyond the primary level, could enable individuals to participate meaningfully in rebuilding their communities and economies. As Daniel Mutanda said, “[Higher education] really provides an opportunity for them to flourish, whatever discipline they pursue, whatever sort of choice they make in terms of the subject area, it really gives them an opportunity to flourish.”

– Linnéa Matlack

Linnéa is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Emerging Technology Solutions for Refugees

Technology for RefugeesMore than 120 million individuals worldwide currently face forced displacement due to persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. This record-high displacement leaves millions of refugees struggling to access basic necessities, education, health care and economic opportunities. However, technology solutions for refugees are reshaping lives by building resilience and creating pathways toward secure and dignified futures.

3D Printing

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing, is transforming health care access for underserved communities by providing highly customizable, cost-effective and lightweight prosthetics for refugee patients who have lost limbs while fleeing conflict. This technology enables refugees to regain mobility, independence and hope for a better future.

e-NABLE, a global network of 40,000 volunteers, has provided 10,000–15,000 free 3D-printed prosthetic hands and arms through open-source design for those lacking medical access. Similarly, the nonprofit 3DP4ME has revolutionized hearing care, delivering 52 3D-printed hearing aids to children in Jordanian refugee camps.

E-Learning Platforms

More than 50% of the world’s 14.8 million school-aged refugee children lack formal education, limiting their future opportunities and slowing global development progress. In response, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has successfully piloted aprendIA.

This AI-powered platform delivers accessible and interactive learning through high-quality materials, including text, audio, video, gamified assessments and PDFs, via widely used messaging platforms like SMS and WhatsApp.

By leveraging artificial intelligence and natural language processing, aprendIA offers personalized feedback and learning support, ensuring continuous education for children with limited resources.

GeoMatch

GeoMatch is an AI-driven tool developed by Stanford’s Immigration Policy Lab and ETH Zurich to help governments place refugees in optimal locations for successful integration. It analyzes refugees’ background characteristics, resettlement locations and employment data to predict employment outcomes. It also provides data-driven insights to enhance overall refugee well-being.

Translation Apps

Refugees facing resettlement often struggle with the limitations of machine translations and the scarcity of interpreters for some languages. These obstacles hinder their ability to access vital services, comprehend their rights and successfully integrate into their new communities.

Tarjimly, a nonprofit organization, is tackling this issue by connecting refugees with on-demand interpreters, enabling smoother communication during interactions with social workers, immigration officials and medical professionals.

Through a new AI partnership, Tarjimly records these interactions to help train large language models. This groundbreaking feedback loop allows humans to teach machines the nuances and cultural contexts of different languages by sharing data and correcting automated translations.

Video Games

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) research on the digital leisure divide highlights the crucial role of digital access in refugee well-being, fostering rest, community building and access to essential information.

Video games, in particular, hold untapped potential as powerful tools for social and economic empowerment. Therefore, Project Hope, an online game-based initiative for Syrian refugee children in Türkiye, has positively influenced education, cognitive development, language acquisition and mental health.

Similarly, Refjam in North Macedonia has helped 500 displaced and stateless gaming enthusiasts to develop digital literacy and enhance employability through game-design workshops and festivals.

Blockchain

According to the World Bank, approximately 850 million people lack official identification, leaving many, especially children, refugees and stateless persons, without access to health care, education, banking and voting, heightening their risk of displacement and human trafficking.

Decentralized blockchain-based identity technology offers innovative solutions to address the global ID crisis. It provides marginalized populations with a secure, portable and immutable means of digital identification. This technology enables refugees to access vital resources and services, including the ability to seek asylum, with greater ease and efficiency.

Satellite Imagery

The integration of satellite imagery and AI is enabling planners to optimize resource allocation, enhance camp designs, track refugee movements and assess environmental impacts. For instance, AI tools were utilized to analyze migration patterns of Syrian refugees escaping conflict.

By combining satellite imagery with anonymized mobile phone data, the UNHCR could forecast the locations where new refugee camps would be needed. This proactive strategy greatly accelerated response times for humanitarian relief and enhanced living conditions for displaced families.

Makazi

More than 90% of displaced refugees are forced to remain in shelters that eventually become their long-term or semi-permanent residences. These shelters are typically inadequate, environmentally harmful and neglect the social, cultural and traditional values of the people they house.

To address this problem, Edinburgh Napier University’s SHELTERs project has developed a new prototype for temporary shelters called Makazi (Swahili for “home”). Winner of the U.K. 2019 RISE Awards, Makazi features a hexagonal design that enhances the UNHCR’s steel box-like shelters.

It is adaptable to varying temperatures and scalable to accommodate changing needs. It can also be assembled in seven days using locally available materials. Additionally, it includes water harvesting capabilities and an efficient sewage collection system.

Conclusion

Emerging technology solutions for refugees provide transformative approaches to enhance access to critical resources and improve living conditions. However, these innovations face significant challenges, including scalability, funding and infrastructure limitations, as many are still in the early development stages.

While technology solutions can play a pivotal role in supporting refugees, it cannot resolve displacement’s fundamental political, social and economic drivers. Nevertheless, ongoing advancements and integration of these technologies hold substantial promise for improving refugee outcomes and fostering more sustainable and effective humanitarian responses.

– Charlotte Codd

Charlotte is based in Waterford, Ireland and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Migration to Pakistan and the Afghan Refugee Crisis

Migration to PakistanPakistan has been a longstanding host to Afghan refugees, providing asylum for over four decades. Migration to Pakistan continues to be a necessity for many Afghans seeking safety and stability.

About Migration to Pakistan

As of October 2024, Pakistan shelters approximately 1.35 million registered Afghan refugees, while the government estimates an additional 600,000 Afghans have entered the country since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. This influx has placed immense pressure on Pakistan’s economic and social infrastructure, as the country struggles with rising inflation, political instability and security concerns.

Since October 2023, the Pakistani government has tightened its policies, announcing the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan (IFRP), which aims to expel undocumented foreigners, primarily targeting Afghan refugees. Nearly 600,000 Afghans have already returned to Afghanistan, fearing arrest or deportation. The situation raises serious humanitarian concerns, as many returnees face poverty, unemployment and insecurity in Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s Role as a Host Country

Pakistan has been one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in the world. Afghan refugees migrated to Pakistan in multiple waves, beginning with the Soviet invasion in 1979, followed by the civil wars of the 1990s, and the U.S.-led war on terror in the 2000s. The most recent crisis emerged after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, prompting many Afghans—particularly women, journalists and activists—to flee due to threats of persecution.

For decades, migration to Pakistan has been a safe refuge for Afghans escaping conflict and oppression in Afghanistan. Despite its economic struggles, Pakistan has facilitated education, health care and work opportunities for many Afghan refugees. Several international organizations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have collaborated with the Pakistani government under the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) to provide legal protection, assistance and voluntary repatriation programs. Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and the UNHCR launched the UNHCR-PPAF Empowerment Initiative in 2019. This program aims to support Afghan refugees in Pakistan by improving their livelihoods. Since its inception, the initiative has provided vocational training to more than 11,000 refugees and host community members, supported 900 Afghan refugee families through the Poverty Graduation Programme, and helped 2,000 refugee women develop artisanal skills. However, increasing domestic challenges have led Pakistan to reconsider its long-term refugee policies.

Deportation and Legal Complexities

Pakistan is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, which means it has no legal obligation to grant asylum under international refugee law. However, the principle of non-refoulement, a core aspect of international humanitarian law, prohibits states from forcibly returning refugees to a country where they face persecution or harm.

The Pakistani government argues that security conditions in Afghanistan have stabilized, and many refugees do not face a “serious or credible” threat upon return. Additionally, Pakistan’s strained economy and security concerns—including the rise in cross-border terrorism—have contributed to harsher policies against undocumented Afghan nationals. This has led to mass deportations, which human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have criticized as inhumane and unlawful.

Challenges That Afghan Refugees are Facing

Afghan refugees in Pakistan struggle with economic hardship, discrimination, and legal uncertainty. Many lack official documentation, making it difficult to access formal employment, education and health care. Women and children, in particular, face higher risks of exploitation and poverty.

As negative perceptions regarding refugees in Pakistan become more prevalent, fears of unforeseeable arrests and harassment by police are increasing among the Afghan refugees. Various reports suggest that under the threats of deportation, many refugees left for Afghanistan after selling their possessions at low prices, returning to a life of poverty and insecurity. While inadequacy of basic services in Afghanistan persists, forced repatriation in the absence of sustainable reintegration plans further debilitates Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis.

International Response and the Way Forward

UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations have questioned Pakistan for its forced expulsion of the Afghan refugees. Voluntary repatriation and long-term integration policies have been the key aspects of UNHCR’s proposals, which offers economic and logistical assistance to both refugees and host populations.

Although the international community, inclusive of European Union and the United States, has partaken in the provision of financial assistance to the Afghan refugees in Pakistan and adjacent nations, the fundraising effort have been insufficient in meeting the actual funding requirements, restraining the success of the humanitarian efforts. In order to address the dire Afghan refugee situation mindfully, a regional scheme incorporating Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the international stakeholders is needed more than ever.

Conclusion

Even though Pakistan is increasingly challenged by its economic and security issues, tackling the Afghan migration to Pakistan situation humanely and diplomatically remains essential for its stability. Afghan refugees are more than uprooted individuals – they possess the skills and resilience to contribute to both their sponsoring nations and their native land.

With investment in education, labor force and legal channels, the regional and international stakeholders will likely be able to provide enduring solutions that improve the conditions of the refugees and the indigenous communities.

– Syeda Khadija Zafar

Syeda is based in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay