Refugees are people forced to leave their country due to violence or war. They also run away out of fear of persecution due to their religion, race, political opinion, and more.
Others might not know that refugees struggle to find shelter, food to eat, earn respect, and protect their families. They have goals in life, just like anyone else, but they are left with challenges that seemingly make their futures bleak.
What Do Refugees Go Through?
Everyone is entitled to basic human needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and security. However, refugees cannot afford to have these. Before they reach their country of asylum, they experience hunger, thirst, extreme weather, and other dire conditions. The harsh situation in refugee camps is not ideal either.
What others fail to realize is that refugees are denied their right to live with dignity. They wake up every day not knowing if they will live to see the next day. These individuals are met with loss and grief daily due to war. After experiencing all the violence and oppression in their home country, they are left with no other option but to flee and go to a completely strange and foreign land.
Refugees are forced to leave for reasons that are beyond their control. In the process, they have to leave their lives behind. They have no option but to say goodbye to friends and family. They are forced to leave all of their belongings and dreams where their hopes have been crushed. Unfortunately, these things are only a fraction of what every refugee goes through.
Opening Doors to Refugees
Developing countries, such as Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Libya, are opening their doors and hosting refugees. European countries are also welcoming some of them. However, the fact remains that the issue of refugees should not be shouldered by these places alone. Every country in the world should be concerned.
Each world leader and society need to cooperate and work together to settle the issue surrounding refugees. These individuals need a safe place to stay where they can start over again. No one should lose their life trying to cross borders. People should also stop blaming refugees for economic and social problems since it only promotes racism, discrimination, and outright hatred.
Many countries continue to see refugees as a burden, but it is important to remember what they have been through. Leaving their lives behind for their own survival is unthinkable, and yet they were forced to do so. If they had a choice, they would not want to subject themselves to discrimination in a strange land. However, with the brutality they encounter in their home countries, they don’t have any other option but to leave for a safer place.
What Do Refugees Need After Asylum?
Host countries should address the needs of refugees once they reach a safe space. Besides receiving basic necessities, such as material assistance and health care, their psychological condition must also be checked. Doing so will help them assimilate into a new society. Every country must do its part to help preserve the dignities and meet the needs of these individuals in dire need of help.
That’s why the world must show concern about the ongoing refugee crisis. They never chose to be born in countries afflicted by war. They are people, just like us. These individuals deserve a better and happier life. As fellow humans, we can do something to ensure they will be treated as equals and receive the help that they need.
Conclusion
As fellow humans, we must be concerned about the atrocities that refugees have gone through. We are offered an opportunity to help people who need us most, so we should take the opportunity to do so. If you are interested in lending a hand, you can do volunteer work with Syrian refugees.
Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations-USA (UOSSM USA) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable, independent, non-government, medical humanitarian organization in Texas. We are currently looking for people who want to volunteer with Syrian refugees or do volunteer work in Syria. If you are interested in our cause and want to do your part in changing these people’s lives, contact us today.
