Across the globe, refugees have been forced to flee their homes, leaving behind all of their belongings and often the safety of family members who could not accompany them. Many have been displaced multiple times and are living with the trauma of unimaginable loss and the uncertainty of where their future lies. In the midst of this crisis, it’s important for all of us to remember that there are ways we can help.
Refugees can choose to return home if it’s safe to do so, or they can resettle in another country. Resettlement – also known as local integration – is when a government invites refugees to live permanently in a different place than the one where they fled. It’s a process that requires time and effort to establish roots, but it can lead to greater self-reliance, contribute to a community’s economy, and prevent secondary displacement.
Local integration can be challenging – especially when refugees arrive with few possessions and little knowledge of the language or culture of their new home. Resettling families need housing, access to health care and education, jobs, and a network of people who can support them. Local organizations, like Catholic Charities, work with refugees to connect them with these resources.
The only way to end the refugee crisis is to address the conflicts that force people to flee their homes in the first place. This means recommitting to international agreements like the 1951 Refugee Convention and ensuring that the wealthiest nations take their fair share of the world’s refugees. Manipulation of refugee populations for political purposes and commodifying them for trade benefits contribute to the ongoing crisis and must be stopped.