Tag Archive for: UNHCR

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History of Refugee Programs in Albania

Refugee programs in AlbaniaAlbania has strived to improve its refugee and asylum seeker welcoming system over the years. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) established its office in Albania in 1991, with operations in the country coordinated through UNHCR’s Representation for Central and South-East Europe (RCSEE), based in Budapest.

The Role of UNHCR

UNHCR partnered with the Ministry of Interior in Albania to improve the asylum system. It also promoted the inclusion of refugees and contributed to addressing the risk of statelessness. Their efforts included conducting a mapping exercise alongside Tirana Legal Aid Society and cooperating with several ministries, INSTAT, and municipalities to identify people at risk of statelessness. In just four months, 1,031 people at risk of statelessness were identified, 97% of whom were children. Relevant ministries, along with the Speaker of Parliament and several members of parliament (MPs), committed to a process of legislative and administrative reform required to end statelessness by 2024.

However, refugees in Albania still encounter challenges such as learning the language, searching for jobs, preparing for interviews, and acquiring new skills. Some refugees even have to beg on the streets for food as they are unable to secure employment, and the funding they receive from the Albanian government is insufficient to sustain them permanently.

Refugee and Migrant Services in Albania (RMSA)

The Refugee and Migrant Services in Albania (RMSA) is one of the current refugee programs in Albania. The Albanian government is not in charge of this program, and it operates independently. It provides psychological, social, legal, and medical services to refugees and asylum seekers in Albania.

UNHCR partnered with RMSA to help refugees find suitable jobs through a job coaching program. This program aims to support and motivate refugees in their job search and the practitioners helping them. It offers refugees all the information they need to get a job in Albania. Practitioners also provide in-person training to help enhance job searching skills.

Benefits for Refugees

Once a refugee enrolls in this program, they receive a “comprehensive guidance document” covering essential information on areas of the job market migrants need to navigate. This includes how to get work permits, write a resume, search for jobs, prepare for interviews, understand finances, and learn about local Albanian culture. Refugees complete personalized assessments to identify areas they excel in and areas needing improvement. They also receive coaching on performing essential tasks like writing a resume and improving interview skills.

The Increase in Immigration

The rate of foreign immigration in Albania has substantially increased over the years. In 2020, the total number of foreigners in Albania was around 13,600, but by 2024, it had reached around 21,940. In 2023, the refugee coaching program received its first graduates.

Overall, refugee programs in Albania have improved over the years as they have developed new initiatives to help refugees and asylum seekers find jobs and integrate into Albanian society. These efforts include tackling statelessness and offering free courses to help secure employment and thrive socially. There has also been a rise in immigration in recent years in the region.

– Bianca Burdulea

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

Photo: Flickr

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Diseases Impacting Venezuela

Diseases Impacting VenezuelaOutbreaks of infectious diseases are the primary health challenges impacting the population and shelter infrastructure in Venezuela. A June 24, 2026, 7.2 magnitude earthquake along Venezuela’s northern coast affected people significantly, along with a subsequent 7.5 magnitude earthquake that killed 32 people, injured 700 people and devastated areas as distant as La Guaira state 160 km east. The earthquakes impacted 1.7 million buildings resulting in widespread power outages across several states.

Of Venezuela’s 31.7 million population, 20 million (63.1%) already lived in poverty, population susceptibility to contracting infectious diseases was high due to no government epidemiological bulletin publications since 2016 and early economic loss predictions outlines costs of 7% of Venezuela’s $111 billion GDP. Structural losses immediately exacerbated the issue of infectious diseases impacting Venezuelan earthquake victims through eliminating their access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, healthcare workers, hospitals, adequate medical care and nutritious food. Increasing earthquake victims’ susceptibility to infectious diseases such as measles, dengue and yellow fever, malaria, diarrhea and skin infections.

Concerns

  • Infectious Disease Treatment Challenges: Medical care services have been sparse due to the impact of the earthquakes on regional healthcare facilities and the fact that they were already 37% short of essential medicines following years of poor economic investment. A Pan-American Healthcare Association (PAHO) analysis showed that more than 50 hospitals in seven states are still functioning but that many facilities experienced critical structural damage. Additionally, the earthquakes resulted in the evacuation of three hospitals, the damaging of 20 primary care units and overcrowding in healthcare facilities. Corpse remains have also led to disease outbreaks and contamination risks.
  • Rising Fatality and Victim Rates: The Los Angeles (LA) Times reported that Venezuela’s health system, which was already weakened by an eight-year economic depression leading to the departure of more than half of the nation’s doctors and other skilled health professionals, had, by July 11, 2026, helped elevate the earthquake’s death toll to 3,800, with 16,700 people injured.
  • Infrastructure Damage: The earthquake destruction zone now presents economic challenges at an estimated $37 billion in losses, including $24 billion in housing and healthcare damage, $13 billion worth of mostly road and energy generation infrastructure damage, meaning 650,000 people will need humanitarian assistance with approximately 17,000 left homeless. Economic disruption means costs will rise further and shelter and healthcare reconstruction efforts become heavily constrained by a pre-existing weak economy.

Solutions

  • Imminent Infectious Disease Treatment: UN subsidiaries have sent 68 tonnes of medical, WASH and household supplies, alongside contributing primary healthcare services through distributing hygiene kits and further sanitation infrastructure fueled by $306 million worth of funding from The Humanitarian Response Plan for Venezuela and private-sector donations.
  • Managing Fatality and Victim Rates: PAHO has presently recovered 6,400 people by concentrating on early recovery, mobilizing emergency specialist expertise, providing health services such as sanitary post-mortem care, diagnostic imaging and immunizations, alongside pleas for a $24 million emergency fund to enable epidemiological surveillance in the earthquake destruction zone.
  • Remedying Regional Infrastructure Damage: La Guaira state sport complexes are providing their facilities as temporary logistics hubs for the storing of health, water and food aid. Their athletic facilities also offer shelter for thousands of displaced people. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is trying to sustain infrastructure advancements, “seeking $14.85 million to support up to 30, 000 people with shelter and essential aid over the next six months.”

Looking Ahead

June 2026 publications painted a grave picture of what presently, and in the future lay ahead for Venezuela, its pre-earthquake impoverished population of 20 million and its healthcare services. Earthquake destruction zone infectious disease challenges clearly reside, yet by both national and international aid recognizing this issue, prompt economic, shelter and medical relief has advanced future stability against the multitude of current factors that encourage the problem of infectious diseases impacting Venezuela. 

– Oliver Jones

Oliver is based in Cheshire, UK and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Refugee Art Initiatives Creating Change Across Borders

Group of people viewing vibrant mural; part of refugee art initiatives.Refugee art initiatives act as a creative outlet that transcends language barriers and social structures, giving refugees opportunities to heal and rebuild their lives. Through art-based education and community initiatives, displaced people express themselves, strengthen identity and promote intercultural understanding. These programs demonstrate how art creates change across borders by supporting resilience, emotional recovery and community cohesion.

Art and Identity in Long-Term Exile

With the average refugee exile lasting around 20 years, creating environments that encourage creativity, expression and education is essential. Refugee art initiatives help ensure that the 6.6 million people living in refugee camps not only survive but also develop socially and emotionally.

Placing art at the center of therapeutic support helps refugees understand their feelings, thoughts and actions. Art allows displaced people to access activism, gain autonomy and influence the world around them, even after their lives have been drastically disrupted. For many refugees, artistic expression becomes a way to reclaim agency in environments where personal choice is often restricted.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), art-based interventions now serve as psychosocial services that improve mental well-being, reduce stress and support emotional stability among displaced populations. These initiatives show how art strengthens identity and improves mental health outcomes among refugees.

Fabric of Women’s Resilience

Through collaboration between Artolution, the United Nations (U.N.) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bangladeshi, Greek, Jordanian and Ugandan refugee women created the Fabric of Women’s Resilience mural. This project stands as a clear example of refugee art initiatives that unite communities through shared experiences. The mural highlights how women use creativity to challenge social norms, advocate for rights and share stories that are often overlooked in humanitarian narratives.

Each group contributed artwork to express their experiences as displaced women and to advocate for equality. The key themes throughout the mural include promoting maternal health care in Bangladesh, challenging gender stereotypes in Jordan, sharing personal experiences in Greece and highlighting connections to communities in Uganda.

Created by 12 refugee women, the mural is a clear example of how art unites and connects communities through shared experiences. It amplifies women’s voices and demonstrates the impact these projects can have on community cohesion. By showcasing diverse cultural perspectives, the mural encourages viewers to recognize the shared humanity within refugee experiences.

Out of Place: Testimony From Refugee Camps

The Out of Place exhibition documents life in 18 of the world’s largest refugee camps through photography, video, installations and research. Featuring the work of 264 artists, the project shows how refugee experiences defy borders and challenges the tendency for displaced people to be forgotten.

The exhibition humanizes the people within the camps who often risk being forgotten. Displaced persons gain the opportunity to express themselves and provide detailed, intimate accounts of their experiences. Humanitarian groups use art to tell refugees’ stories in a way that empowers them and gives them autonomy.

With a population of 220,000 people, Dadaab is Kenya’s largest refugee camp. Ten artists from Dadaab contributed to the exhibition, but their initial shipment of artwork arrived blank, likely due to damage during transit. Determined to share their stories, the artists recreated their pieces to ensure their message reached international audiences. Their persistence shows how these projects empower refugees to reclaim their narratives.

Exile Voices: Photography as Education

Art is increasingly encouraged in refugee camps, particularly through photography. In December 2013, photographer Reza Deghati launched a photography training program for children ages 11 to 15 in a camp in Iraqi Kurdistan. The initiative was successful and led to the creation of the Exile Voices project.

In collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Exile Voices has operated for more than five years, providing art-based education to refugee youth across multiple camps. Photography workshops equip children with practical skills, confidence and creative expression, giving them tools that can support their futures. With 43.3 million displaced children worldwide, access to education through creative programs offers young people a way to build skills despite the disruption of exile.

The Future of Art Initiatives in Refugee Camps

Investment and focus on art-based education and therapeutic programs is increasing. These initiatives have gained recognition as essential tools to help support displaced persons. With new attention placed on using art as a therapeutic tool, these programs are essential to supporting students and youth through life in refugee camps. As they expand, they will continue strengthening resilience among refugees and connecting communities across borders.

These programs not only foster healing and identity but also ensure that displaced people’s stories gain attention.

– Flora De Leeuw

Flora is based in Bath, UK and focuses on Good News, Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Hope for Refugees in Iran

Refugees in IranSince early 2026, essential infrastructure in Iran has been disrupted, including health care systems, transportation networks and water services. These disruptions have made it increasingly difficult for humanitarian aid to reach vulnerable populations. Strained supply chains and limited access to basic provisions have further complicated the situation for uprooted communities.

The United Nations (U.N.) estimates suggest that up to 3.2 million people have been displaced within Iran since the beginning of 2026, highlighting the scale of the humanitarian crisis.

As displacement increases, the need for emergency assistance continues to escalate. Forced from their residences, families must contend with shortages of food, shelter and clean water. Many face temporary camps or overcrowded living conditions where access to basic needs is limited. Iran already hosts millions of refugees, and the current unrest is further complicating the situation. Millions of displaced people rely on Iran’s resources.

Hope for Refugees in Iran

Despite these challenges, international organizations have mobilized life-saving support. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continues to support one of the largest refugee populations in the world. As of 2026, approximately 1.65 million forcibly displaced people reside in Iran, including about 770,000 registered refugees, the majority of whom live in urban areas.

For the past 40 years, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been providing food assistance to refugees in Iran. In addition to supporting refugees, WFP has the capacity to assist the government in crisis situations. In Iran, WFP supports more than 32,500 refugees through a combination of cash transfers, food distributions and school-based nutrition programs.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) continues to provide medical care, disaster relief and community-based support services in affected areas. The IFRC launched a CHF 40 million emergency appeal to support humanitarian operations, aiming to assist up to 5 million people across 30 provinces in Iran. Relief efforts include emergency medical services, shelter, water and sanitation support and mental health services delivered by thousands of staff and volunteers.

Additional Organizations Supporting Refugees in Iran

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) provides legal assistance, shelter and education support to displaced populations. In Iran, NRC has supported more than 40,000 refugees and vulnerable host community members annually through education programs, legal aid and livelihood assistance.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) delivers health care and protection services in crisis-affected settings worldwide. Globally, the IRC reached more than 31.5 million people in 2023, including displaced and refugee populations in countries such as Iran through partner-supported programs.

Relief International works to expand access to education, health care and clean water for vulnerable communities. In Iran, the organization supports a population of nearly 3 million Afghan refugees, providing health care, education, vocational training and small business support. In 2023, its programs in Iran included supporting 18 schools, assisting more than 3,000 children with education and providing cash assistance to approximately 3,000 individuals.

Looking Ahead

As the situation continues to unfold in Iran, international awareness and sustained support will be essential. Humanitarian organizations working across the country continue to demonstrate that coordinated, targeted assistance can reach displaced populations even in complex and fast-moving crises.

– Erin Sian Mongillo

Erin is based in North Haven, CT, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Sudanese Refugees and UNHCR’s 2026 Regional Response Plan

UNHCR’s 2026 Regional ResponseIn April 2023, war broke out between Sudan’s national army and a powerful paramilitary force known as the Rapid Support Forces. Within months, it had become the largest displacement crisis on earth. Now in its fourth year, the conflict has driven more than 4.4 million Sudanese across international borders, with millions more displaced within the country itself. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has published its 2026 Regional Response Plan, a $1.6 billion appeal covering seven countries and 123 partner organizations.

UNHCR’s 2026 Regional Response Plan

The plan sets out how humanitarian organizations intend to support refugees and the communities hosting them across the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan and Uganda throughout 2026. It targets approximately 5.9 million people in total. This figure includes both refugees and 1.8 million host community members whose own resources and public services are under mounting strain.

The money requested breaks down across 10 sectors. Food security takes the largest share at around $407 million, a sum that reflects the scale of the immediate threat: one in 10 newly arrived Sudanese refugee children in Chad is malnourished on arrival. Protection, covering everything from legal documentation and asylum access to gender-based violence response and child protection, accounts for $286 million. Health care and nutrition take $238 million, shelter $100 million, water and sanitation $139 million and education $102 million. A further $132 million is allocated to livelihoods and economic inclusion, funding that reflects the plan’s broader ambition to move beyond emergency aid toward genuine self-sufficiency.

Rather than distributing food parcels and goods, the UNHCR’s 2026 Regional Response plan prioritizes giving refugees direct cash transfers wherever possible. Cash gives people dignity and choice, stimulates local economies and costs less to deliver than in-kind aid.

Transitioning Past Emergency Response

What began as an emergency response is being forced, by necessity, to evolve. The plan is explicit that the response must now bridge immediate humanitarian needs with what it calls “solutions from the start.” In this way, decisions regarding both short and long-term intervention are made with integration in mind. This means connecting refugees to national health, education and social protection systems rather than building parallel humanitarian structures that only deepen aid dependency. It means supporting host governments to let refugees work, move freely and access services. It also means engaging development banks, private sector actors and bilateral donors alongside traditional humanitarian funders.

The conflict driving all of this shows no signs of ending. Sudan was ranked the deadliest conflict in Africa in 2025, with more than 17,000 civilian deaths recorded between January and November alone. Sexual violence has been widespread. The Rapid Support Forces captured El Fasher, the last majority city in Darfur not under their control, in October 2025, triggering a fresh surge of displacement. By December, fighting had spread to Kordofan. For the millions who have already fled, return remains a distant prospect and the current picture varies considerably depending on where they are located.

Chad and Egypt

Chad carries the heaviest burden of any country for those who fled after the 2023 outbreak of fighting, hosting more than 1.3 million Sudanese refugees by the end of 2025, projected to reach 1.48 million through 2026. Most crossed from the Darfur region into Chad’s already impoverished eastern provinces. The response plan here, with the largest single-country allocation at $568 million, is tied to a government strategy that aims to turn the influx into a driver of long-term development for the region.

Egypt hosts the largest overall number of Sudanese refugees, around 1.5 million, who live in urban areas alongside Egyptian communities rather than in camps. A significant legal development came in December 2024 when Egypt passed a new asylum law, for the first time establishing a framework for a state-led national asylum system. Partners will spend 2026 supporting its implementation. Refugees currently face serious daily challenges: rising costs of living, administrative barriers and very limited access to formal employment.

Libya and South Sudan

Libya presents some of the more acute dangers. More than 538,000 Sudanese have arrived since 2023, more than 80% of them women and children, most entering through the remote desert crossing at Alkufra. Only around 70,000 have been formally registered. Without documentation, refugees cannot access services and risk arrest and deportation — more than 3,700 were deported in 2025 alone. For many, the calculation becomes whether to risk the Mediterranean. In 2025, Sudanese nationals were among the top nationalities intercepted at sea and among those arriving in Italy and Greece. The $116 million Libya allocation is, in significant part, an investment in preventing those journeys from becoming the only option.

South Sudan has perhaps the most complex humanitarian landscape of any host country. It is simultaneously managing more than 700,000 Sudanese refugees, two million of its own internally displaced people and more than 880,000 South Sudanese who were themselves refugees in Sudan and have since returned home. Climate shocks, cholera outbreaks, food insecurity and ongoing conflict compound everything. The $362 million allocation is the second largest in the plan.

Ethiopia, Uganda and the CAR

Ethiopia has maintained an open-door asylum policy throughout, receiving more than 77,000 Sudanese since 2023. It is also receiving more than 21,000 Ethiopians returning from Sudan. A recent Right to Work Directive offers refugees legal access to the labor market, a meaningful policy advance in a region where most refugees are barred from formal employment.

Uganda, despite not sharing a border with Sudan, hosts around 91,000 Sudanese as part of a total refugee population of nearly two million. Its legal framework, giving refugees the right to work, move freely and use national services, is held up internationally as a model. However, severe underfunding in 2025 forced cuts to food, health and protection programs. The 2026 plan works through a triage system: lifesaving needs first, then essential services, then longer-term resilience.

The Central African Republic (CAR) hosts around 40,000 Sudanese in remote border regions with almost no infrastructure and very limited partner presence. Armed actors crossing from Sudan, the reduced capacity of the U.N. peacekeeping mission and seasonal rains that cut off roads for months at a time make this one of the most difficult operational environments in the entire response.

The Funding Problem

Running through the entire plan raises significant concerns about money. The 2025 response was severely underfunded, and the plan does not expect 2026 to be easier. Without sustained financial support, hard-won gains will be reversed, more refugees will attempt onward movement through dangerous routes and regional instability will grow. The appeal is not only for emergency donations but for predictable, multi-year commitments — the kind that allow organizations to build systems rather than simply respond to the latest crisis.

UNHCR’s 2026 Regional Response Plan describes a humanitarian operation of enormous scale, under enormous strain, attempting something genuinely difficult: keeping millions of people alive while simultaneously trying to build the conditions in which they might one day need less help.

– Andrew Geddes

Andrew is based in Edinburgh, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Charities Operating in Iran: Supporting Vulnerable Communities

Charities in IranDue to the ongoing conflict, sanctions and high inflation, Iran is currently experiencing severe humanitarian and economic hardship. These circumstances have put increased pressure on social welfare, housing and health care systems, making it difficult for many communities to meet their basic needs. Vulnerable populations are increasingly at risk, as instability persists, especially those with limited access to resources and support systems.

Alongside economic challenges, humanitarian needs have intensified as conflict-related disruption affects infrastructure, supply chains and access to vital services. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are vital in this situation as they help close gaps, provide emergency aid and support long-term recovery. Through focused humanitarian efforts and community-based support, these five charities operating in Iran are helping to address these issues. 

The Iranian Red Crescent Society

The largest humanitarian organization in the country, the Iranian Red Crescent Society, is essential to emergency response and relief operations. It operates a nationwide network of more than two million volunteers, enabling rapid response to crises such as earthquakes, floods and public health emergencies. In the current situation, the organization has expanded its efforts to support millions of people affected by conflict-related disruptions by providing essential supplies, shelter and urgent medical care.

It also runs more than 500 rehabilitation and health centers, providing ongoing care to vulnerable populations. Its nationwide presence allows it to reach vulnerable populations quickly, particularly in areas where infrastructure has been impacted. 

UNICEF Iran

UNICEF Iran prioritizes protecting children and providing basic services, especially in low-income and vulnerable communities. The organization has helped maintain Iran’s more than 95% childhood immunization rate, supporting millions of children through nationwide vaccination programs. It also helps improve access to education, particularly for marginalized and refugee children, reaching tens of thousands of students annually.

UNICEF’s nutrition and health initiatives provide critical support to families facing economic strain, helping prevent malnutrition and disease. These programs are essential in safeguarding child development during periods of instability. 

UNHCR Iran

Supporting displaced populations in Iran, particularly 3.5 million Afghan refugees and others impacted by regional instability, is a critical responsibility of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The organization provides access to health care, education and financial assistance to hundreds of thousands of refugees each year. Through its Amayesh registration system, many refugees are integrated into national services such as public schooling and primary health care.

UNHCR also distributes cash assistance and essential supplies to help families meet basic needs. Its work is vital in promoting stability and self-reliance among displaced populations amid ongoing regional instability.

The International Committee of the Red Cross

In Iran, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provides humanitarian protection and assistance to vulnerable populations, especially those affected by conflict and displacement. The ICRC has provided 5,000 non-food items to several Iranians over the years. It works with medical facilities to improve access to essential treatment and supplies, particularly for vulnerable groups.

The organization also focuses on humanitarian protection, including supporting detainees and reconnecting families separated by conflict. Its neutrality allows it to operate effectively in complex and sensitive environments. 

The Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation

One of the most prominent domestic charities in Iran, the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee, focuses on social welfare and poverty alleviation. The foundation offers low-essential services, housing support and financial assistance to more than 4.5 million people as economic conditions deteriorate. The foundation prioritizes vulnerable groups, including women-headed households, orphans and older people.

It also offers employment and self-sufficiency programs to help individuals generate sustainable income. It plays a crucial role in helping communities that are experiencing increased hardship due to social and economic instability. 

Human Impact and the Role of Charities

Data and individual experiences both reflect the humanitarian impact of Iran’s ongoing instability. The Borgen Project spoke with an Iranian woman who now resides in Leith, Edinburgh, but requested to remain anonymous for privacy reasons. She explained how everyday life, especially for women, had already been shaped by economic hardship and limited opportunities since leaving Iran two years ago. 

She explained that these difficulties have been worsened by the current circumstances, with many families now facing greater uncertainty about their access to food, health care and financial security. These conditions are consistent with broader trends, as economic strain and conflict continue to impede vital services and place additional pressure on vulnerable groups. 

“Before, people were struggling, but now it feels like everything is collapsing at once,” she told The Borgen Project in an interview. “There is fear all the time. People are worried about safety, about losing their homes, about how they will survive. Everything is uncertain.” 

Her perspective emphasizes the growing importance of humanitarian organizations in meeting urgent needs. Charities frequently offer vital support when public services are overburdened, especially for those without a steady income or access to aid. 

This reflects the efforts of organizations that continue to provide emergency assistance, medical care and protection services, such as the Iranian Red Crescent Society, UNHCR and UNICEF. These organizations are crucial in helping communities maintain stability and access to basic resources as the demand for assistance grows. 

“In times like this, charities become a lifeline,” she said. “When people are forced from their homes or lose everything, they depend on this support just to get through each day.” 

A Path Forward Through Humanitarian Support 

As conditions across Iran continue to shift, the importance of humanitarian organizations has moved far beyond short-term intervention. These five charities operating in Iran provide not only support but also continuity in times when daily life has been disrupted. They are becoming increasingly central to how communities survive and rebuild in an environment shaped by instability and uncertainty. 

The existence of these charities signifies more than support for many impacted by conflict and financial hardship; it signals that help is still available even in the most challenging circumstances. Their work is part of a broader humanitarian endeavor to respond not only to immediate needs but also to the long-term realities facing vulnerable populations. 

As pressure on communities intensifies, the role of these charities in Iran becomes even more significant. Their ongoing efforts show that, despite substantial challenges, structured and persistent humanitarian action can lay the groundwork for recovery, resilience and a more stable future. 

 – Honey Regev

Honey is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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ANTA – How a sportswear company combined Sports and Poverty

antaSports have been a fundamental activity that brings communities and entire countries together. Sports have such a positive impact that the United Nations declared April 6 as the official International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Playing any sport not only contributes to a healthy and fulfilling life, but it also has the unique capacity to “foster connection, inclusion, and peace in an increasingly fragmented world.” ANTA, one of the largest athletic apparel companies in the world, has taken this meaning to another level by combining sports and poverty and expanding its agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support thousands of displaced children across Africa.

About ANTA

ANTA is a sportswear company, founded in 1991 by Chinese entrepreneur Ding Shizhong in Fujian, China. Although this company started as a small regional sportswear maker, ANTA has grown and become one of the largest and most important sportswear companies in the world. As of 2024, ANTA is the largest sportswear company in China and the third largest in the world, with a reported revenue of $9.8 billion in 2024. With more than “13,000 stores across all its brands and [employing] about 65,500 employees,” ANTA has worked to expand beyond China and have an impact worldwide.

Combining Sports and Poverty

Beyond their revenue and their growth, ANTA is a company that focuses on “contributing to global humanitarian assistance,” as Lai Shixian, Executive Director and Co-CEO, stated. With this mission in mind, ANTA entered an official partnership with UNHCR in 2023 to reach 300,000 displaced children worldwide. Over the last two years, ANTA provided $1.5 million in financial support and 1.2 million pieces of sporting apparel and equipment to displaced youth,” to children in Burundi, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

The Impacts

ANTA’s contributions to UNHCR and global humanitarian assistance have been fundamental to assisting children who have been forcibly displaced across the globe, especially in Africa. Private partnerships similar to this one facilitate international organizations to provide humanitarian assistance and relieve poverty. ANTA’s partnerships has allowed the UNHCR to maintain “refugee classrooms open during crisis by funding teachers and providing learning materials,” giving children the opportunity to access education and succeed in the future. Furthermore, Vice President of ANTA, Christina Li, emphasized how sports can be used as a tool to foster “inclusion and resilience,” creating hope for children and families experiencing displacement.

As the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace approaches, it is important to analyze how sports and poverty can go hand-in-hand. As sportswear companies continue to grow and develop, they can continue to contribute to global humanitarian assistance and change the lives of thousands of individuals, similar to Anta’s partnership with UNHCR.

– Rodrigo Salgado

Rodrigo is based in Boulder, CO, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Syrian Refugee Entrepreneurship in Turkey

Syrian Refugee Entrepreneurship in TurkeyTurkey hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world, with more than 3.2 million Syrians under temporary protection living across the country. While displacement is often portrayed as an economic burden, many Syrian refugees demonstrate resilience through entrepreneurship.

According to the World Bank, Syrian youth in Turkey increasingly start businesses as a pathway to economic empowerment, navigating formal and informal markets despite legal and financial constraints. These enterprises range from retail and services to manufacturing, creating jobs for both refugees and Turkish citizens. This growing business activity highlights how migrant entrepreneurship can contribute to a host country’s economy by generating income, expanding local markets and supporting poverty reduction. Syrian refugee entrepreneurship in Turkey shows how displaced communities can build economic opportunities despite challenging circumstances.

The Scale of Syrian Refugee Entrepreneurship in Turkey

Since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011, many Syrians living in Turkey have moved beyond informal work and started their own businesses. Research from the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey indicates that more than 10,000 Syrian-owned companies have been officially registered across the country. These businesses operate in sectors such as retail, trade, manufacturing and food services, reflecting both market demand and the needs of local communities.

Syrian-owned businesses are especially concentrated in cities such as Istanbul, Gaziantep, Hatay and Mersin, where strong trade networks and geographic proximity to Syria support commercial activity. In industrial centers like Gaziantep, Syrian entrepreneurs also contribute to regional trade connections and export activity.

On average, Syrian-owned firms employ between five and nine workers, including both Syrian refugees and Turkish citizens. This level of activity shows that Syrian refugee entrepreneurship in Turkey has moved beyond subsistence strategies and now contributes to local labor markets and small business ecosystems.

Economic Contributions: Jobs and Market Expansion

Syrian refugee entrepreneurship in Turkey also plays a growing role in job creation and market expansion. Since the start of the Syrian conflict, thousands of Syrian-owned businesses have opened across the country, operating in sectors such as retail, manufacturing and food services. These enterprises generate employment opportunities for both refugees and Turkish citizens.

Studies show that Syrian small and medium-sized businesses employ around seven workers on average, strengthening local labor markets and supporting small business ecosystems. In addition to employment, Syrian entrepreneurs contribute to trade networks that connect Turkish markets with partners across the Middle East. Through investment, production and cross-border commerce, Syrian-owned businesses increasingly support economic activity in the regions where they operate.

Challenges and Barriers for Syrian Entrepreneurs

Despite the growth of Syrian-owned businesses, refugee entrepreneurs in Turkey still face several structural barriers. Access to finance remains one of the most significant challenges, as many refugees lack the credit history or collateral required by formal financial institutions. Language barriers and unfamiliar administrative procedures can also make business registration and regulatory compliance more difficult.

Limited access to professional networks and business support services may restrict opportunities for growth and market expansion. Although Turkey introduced work permit regulations for refugees under temporary protection in 2016, many entrepreneurs still face difficulties navigating the formal business environment. Addressing these barriers remains important to help refugee-led businesses reach their full economic potential and expand their contributions to local economies.

Programs Supporting Refugee Entrepreneurship

Several international organizations and local initiatives support refugee entrepreneurship in Turkey. Programs led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other partners focus on strengthening refugee-led businesses through training, mentorship and policy guidance. These initiatives promote entrepreneurship as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods while also encouraging economic cooperation between refugees and host communities.

Local initiatives such as the İMECE Project also support refugee entrepreneurs by providing training and networking opportunities. Supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Habitat Association, the program has trained more than 9,000 participants and helped develop new refugee-led businesses. These initiatives demonstrate how targeted support programs can help transform refugee entrepreneurship into long-term economic opportunities that benefit both refugees and local communities.

Looking Ahead

Syrian refugee entrepreneurship in Turkey illustrates how displaced communities can contribute to economic growth when given opportunities to participate in local markets. By creating businesses, generating employment and strengthening trade networks, Syrian entrepreneurs increasingly support economic activity in the regions where they live. Continued support through training programs, inclusive policies and business development initiatives can help expand these contributions and promote long-term economic resilience for both refugees and host communities.

– Elif Oktar

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

Photo: Flickr

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Femicides in Venezuela: Fighting Gender-Based Violence

Femicides in Venezuela: How NGOs Are Fighting Gender-Based ViolenceIn Venezuela, gender-based violence has reached alarming levels in recent years, reflecting the profound impact of the country’s ongoing humanitarian emergency. Institutional collapse, extreme poverty, forced migration and the absence of adequate public policies have created an environment where femicides in Venezuela continue to rise and women face multiple forms of violence. However, amid this reality, various feminist organizations, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and international agencies are developing strategies to prevent violence, provide shelter, legal and psychological assistance and inform women about their rights.

A Humanitarian Crisis That Fuels Violence

Since 2015, Venezuela has faced a complex humanitarian emergency marked by economic collapse, institutional deterioration and the breakdown of public services. This situation has disproportionately affected women and girls. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), its latest Humanitarian Response Plan 2025 highlights the urgency of the situation: one in four people in Venezuela (about 7.6 million) requires humanitarian assistance, and 6.2 million need protection services, including child protection and support for survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking.

Although the country has experienced moderate economic growth over the past two years (2023–2024), deteriorating living conditions, food insecurity, the collapse of health care services and the absence of protective policies have allowed gender-based and sexual violence to continue rising. The Organic Law on the Right of Women to a Life Free of Violence, while representing a legislative milestone, has not been effectively implemented due to institutional weakness and corruption. As a result, many victims face impunity, institutional revictimization and a lack of safe shelters. Most cases go unreported: an estimated 7 out of 10 women do not report the violence they experience, mainly due to fear of retaliation or mistrust of the judicial system.

Alarming Numbers and a Climate of Impunity

Recent data reveal the scale of the problem. According to the feminist observatory Utopix, there were 76 femicides in the first six months of 2025—equivalent to one woman murdered every 2.3 days. These killings are not isolated incidents; they reflect a justice system that fails to protect victims, where investigations often remain incomplete and perpetrators rarely face conviction.

Furthermore, Centro de Justicia y Paz (CEPAZ) reports that more than 50% of victims experience physical violence, while 65% suffer psychological abuse. These forms of aggression often escalate over time, frequently culminating in femicide.

Migration and Trafficking: A Double Vulnerability

The crisis has also forced millions of Venezuelans to leave the country, exposing women to new risks. According to platforms such as R4V, the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and IOM, as well as surveys like ENCOVI, nearly 8 million people have left Venezuela. During migration, many women face sexual violence, labor exploitation and human trafficking.

These dynamics pose serious risks for women, adolescents, and other vulnerable groups. False job offers or migration promises deceive many, and due to the precarious nature of their journeys, they fall victim to trafficking networks and modern forms of slavery. According to the report Libres y Seguras by the Venezuelan organization Mulier, 1,390 Venezuelan women were rescued from trafficking networks in 2022, including 284 girls and adolescents. Documented cases include sexual exploitation, forced labor, and forced marriages in countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Violence does not end once women cross the border. Xenophobia, labor exploitation, and the absence of legal protection continue to make them vulnerable. According to Utopix, more than 100 Venezuelan women have been victims of violence or femicide abroad between 2024 and 2025.

Organizations Making a Difference

Despite the challenging context, numerous NGOs and humanitarian agencies are supporting Venezuelan women both within and outside the country. Their work focuses on violence prevention, comprehensive care, legal assistance, and creating safe spaces.

CEPAZ leads the defense of women’s rights through free legal assistance, psychological support and accompaniment during judicial processes. It also manages the Digital Femicide Observatory, which compiles data and pressures the state to implement prevention and protection policies.

Utopix has become a national reference by documenting femicides in Venezuela and analyzing patterns of violence. Its work is essential for raising awareness amid a lack of official data. The organization also conducts community education and awareness campaigns to transform cultural norms that perpetuate violence.

UNHCR plays a crucial role internationally by providing legal assistance, shelter, psychological support and documentation. It also coordinates gender-based violence prevention programs with governments and local organizations.

Toward a Future Free of Violence

The increase in femicides, the impact of forced migration and the expansion of human trafficking reflect the profound social deterioration in Venezuela. However, the work of organizations such as CEPAZ, Utopix, Mulier, and UNHCR shows that civil society remains a driver of hope. Through direct support, human rights advocacy and the promotion of public policies, these organizations are laying the groundwork for a future in which women can live free from violence.

– Su Ying Lee Yang

Su is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Left Behind: Refugee Education in Jordan

Refugee Education in JordanHundreds of thousands of refugee children in Jordan remain cut off from their right to education, not because they lack the will to learn but because layers of bureaucratic red tape block them. Human Rights Watch reports that schools often ask families to present documents that many refugees cannot obtain, such as valid legal residency papers or certified school transcripts from the countries they fled. For those who escaped war or persecution with little more than the clothes on their backs, these requirements become impossible to meet. Hidden administrative fees and long processing delays further complicate the process, leaving even the most determined parents struggling to get their children into classrooms.

Jordan’s Struggles with Access to Education

Nearly one in three Syrians registered with the United Nations (U.N.) refugee agency in Jordan—about 226,000 of 660,000—are children between the ages of 5 and 17. In 2017, more than 80,000 of them did not receive any form of formal education. These obstacles keep countless children, particularly those from Syria and Sudan, out of classrooms and expose them to greater risks of child labor or early marriage.

A mother of an 8-year-old Syrian refugee student, Muhannad, shared her story: “I had a lot of difficulties with Muhannad, especially when he was diagnosed with autism. He didn’t like going to school, and the fact that teachers weren’t trained to deal with his case made it more difficult.”

Many families fled from Syria without official documentation or necessary civil documents, making enrolment for education nearly impossible. Additionally, the Jordanian Interior Ministry requires Syrian refugees to obtain a “Service Card,” which is often tied to a specific district. This creates an issue for families who have to move around to find work. 

Furthermore, Jordanian education authorities prohibit the enrollment of children who have been out of school for three years or more. This rule makes it extremely difficult for children affected by conflict and unable to secure the required documents to access basic education.

The culmination of these factors, along with asynchronous societal changes, has caused societal and economic shifts in Jordan to outpace the education system’s ability to adapt. Furthermore, significant policy and data gaps persist, particularly regarding unregistered refugees, creating a lack of comprehensive understanding of their educational needs.

Jordan’s Innovative Double-Shift School Model

Despite hosting one of the world’s largest Syrian refugee populations, the government, backed by international partners, has introduced “Double Shift” schools. Introduced in the 1960s, this pragmatic educational system addresses overcrowding within the education sector, simplifies registration procedures and significantly expands access to public education. This approach reflects the 2015 U.N.-sponsored Refugee Response and Resilience Plan (3RP), which promotes inclusive education by offering access to a wider curriculum, additional resources, teacher training and national accreditation of established education systems, improving educational experiences for Syrian refugees.

The Double Shift system not only eases access to education for both Syrian refugees and Jordanian children but also provides hundreds of thousands of students with a sense of normalcy by utilizing existing infrastructure and requiring minimal new financial resources.

The Double Shift Model: Implementation

The Double-Shift School Model is the most notable strategy for keeping refugee education in Jordan accessible. Under this system, the regular school day is divided into two separate sessions: Jordanian nationals typically attend classes in the morning, while Syrian refugee students take their lessons in the afternoon. By running two full school days back-to-back in the same buildings, the Ministry of Education makes far better use of existing facilities, significantly reducing the need for costly new construction or additional school sites.

This arrangement not only allows tens of thousands of refugee children to receive a formal education that might otherwise be out of reach but also helps relieve overcrowding, maintain smaller class sizes and keep local communities more cohesive. International partners such as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have provided teacher training, materials and funding to sustain the model, demonstrating how targeted collaboration can turn a severe capacity crisis into an opportunity for inclusive education.

The Future of Refugee Education in Jordan

Greater funding for the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Education Cannot Wait and similar programs, combined with sustained diplomatic engagement, could encourage governments to remove paperwork barriers and adopt inclusive education policies. These efforts can improve infrastructure, enhance teacher training and strengthen the Ministry of Education’s capacity for data-driven planning and crisis-responsive systems.

Jordan has made significant strides in providing wider access not only to its citizens but also to the influx of Syrian refugees by implementing the “Double Shift” programs and “cash for education” systems. Organizations such as UNICEF provide cash-based assistance to families, helping them cover the costs of transportation, uniforms and school supplies, thereby encouraging and incentivizing children to stay in school.

– Carise Wallbank

Carise is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr