Today, over 80 million people are displaced by conflict. Some are displaced by war, some by violence, and others by persecution, with the number increasing every day. Often in their haste to flee, refugees put their lives at risk just for a chance at a better future.

An example of a refugee crisis of our time is the Syrian war. Over the years, the Syrian people have been forced to leave their country to seek safety elsewhere as the war approaches its 11th anniversary without an end in sight, millions of Syrians continue to suffer.

So how can you help refugees? There are many ways you can help refugees in your community and beyond. In this article, we’ll give you four practical ways you can help refugees globally. You can still make a difference wherever you are, irrespective of how much time or money you have.

As a volunteer, you can provide vital assistance to help refugees transition into a new culture or improve the quality of life within refugee camps.

There are many ways you can support refugees, including teaching English, counseling, assisting families in discovering school and employment opportunities, child care and essential support programs for families, medical assistance and handling, food or supplies collected and distributed in camps. 

You can take on such jobs both at home and abroad; whatever skills you have, you can put them to use to help refugees. Find organizations that assist refugees both at home and abroad and ask how you can help. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities at World Renew here.

Speaking up, whether by joining petitions online or calling a local official, may help alter the rules and infrastructure of refugee resettlement and help refugees wanting to rebuild their lives.

Contact your elected representatives to support measures protecting the rights of all refugees around the country. Take the lead and speak up for refugees worldwide to amplify their voices and influence change locally and internationally. 

You can also join the movement in favor of accepting refugees. Learn more about how you can join our advocacy workshops, visit our Advocate and Pray page here.

Resettling in a new country brings difficulties like learning a new language, making friends, understanding the culture, and establishing a career. Refugees often feel isolated as they adjust to a new country and restart their lives. 

Many community projects have arisen in various areas of the world to welcome refugees, such as sponsors at Wallaceburg CRC in Ontario who helped ease the Kahya family’s transition to Canada after the long difficult years as refugees without a home. You can read more about their story here.

Resettling in a new country brings difficulties like learning a new language, making friends, understanding the culture, and establishing a career. Refugees often feel isolated as they adjust to a new country and restart their lives. 

Many community projects have arisen in various areas of the world to welcome refugees, such as sponsors at Wallaceburg CRC in Ontario who helped ease the Kahya family’s transition to Canada after the long difficult years as refugees without a home. You can read more about their story here.

Many countries and communities have established organizations supporting refugees in various ways. Some give information about work, courses and activities, while others are specialized in resources for new moms or moving furniture to a refugee’s first apartment. 

You can also find ways to help connect new arriving refugees to some of these organizations’ programs. Together they can obtain information on accommodations and employment opportunities, while also developing their language abilities, connecting with their neighborhood, acquiring crucial cultural knowledge, and other assistance. You can learn more about World Renew’s Refugee Sponsorship Programs here.

In response to the refugee crisis worldwide, World Renew works tirelessly to alleviate the tremendous suffering of refugees. Compelled by God’s passion for justice and mercy, World Renew strives to support and help migrant, refugee and displaced families.

Meet Amina, who lost everything to the war in Syria. Through the partnership between World Renew and local churches in Lebanon, Amina and her daughters are able to receive necessities and the girls are also able to continue their education despite their situation. 

World Renew has also been supporting church programs for more than 40 years to welcome and resettle refugees in Canada. Today, with the help of other organizations and partners, we support hundreds of thousands of people affected by conflicts worldwide, aiming to make a difference by meeting both the immediate and long-term needs of refugee families.

 As more and more people like you find ways to help like those listed above, more refugees can continue moving forward with hope for the future. 

Join World Renew in pursuing advocacy for refugee rights. Find ways of putting faith into action that can transform refugees’ lives. We ask for your support to continue addressing refugees’ vital needs and support vulnerable families.