Pictured: Syrian refugee child inside Al-Zatari Refugee Camp, Jordan 2022
Today, discussions about irregular migration dominate family meals, churches, and aid agencies. Governments are struggling to address the crisis of migrants and refugees crossing their borders, continuing to become a major political issue. Churches and Christians are unsure how to respond – while the media often spread misinformation, adding to the confusion, it is not a surprise that many have become disconnected from or numbed over ideological arguments.
Despite many misconceptions surround refugees, 99% of the forcibly displaced are not trying to cross into Western countries – nor do they have the resources to do so.
- As of 2023, around 120 million people have been forced to leave their homes. This is roughly 1.5% of the global population.
- At least half of those are stuck in their own countries, becoming Internally Displaced (IDPs).
- The remainder are refugees or asylum seekers in neighbouring countries.
- Less than 1% of the forcibly displaced get the change to resettle in Western nations or are willing to take dangerous journeys to reach North America, Europe, or Australia.
This 99% of the forcibly displaced have been struggling for decades in regions like Africa, Asia, and the Middle East with no clear solutions.
Although we recognise the desperation and bravery of those who make these perilous journeys – many of whom die at sea or in the desert – the majority remain trapped without safe options.
This raises the question:
How can we compassionately and wisely respond to the migration crisis as the global church?
SOLUTIONS
One possible solution could be if we shift our focus on helping the ‘other 99%’ find solutions to either return to their home countries or resettle in safer environments, we may reduce the number of people taking dangerous, irregular routes and falling victim to human smugglers.
Of course, not all refugees will be able to return home. Some have different persecution or systemic oppression due to ideological beliefs that make it impossible for them to go back. But if we act early, Philoi has seen how it is possible to create opportunities for many to return or relocation and rebuild their lives.
At Philoi Global, one of our main goals is resettlement, but we understand that finding international protection through this is not always possible, and we acknowledge it is unsustainable for Western countries to take in millions of refugees.
That’s why we collaborate with churches and partners to address forced displacement at its early stages through:
- Advocacy – influencing policies at the UN level and advocating at forums like UNHCR and UNHRC.
- Education – equipping and informing displaced young people about the dangers of irregular migration, pointing them to other potential avenues, and helping make them possible.
- Long-term avenues include educational pathways, labour mobility programs, family reunification, and community sponsorship programs.
By partnering with churches and partners around the world, we are able to provide education/employment opportunities for the forcibly displaced. These avenues support them in building a better future for themselves as they can return, relocate, or migrate through safe and legal channels.
We invite you to partner with us as an individual or a church to make a meaningful and sustainable difference in the forcible displacement sphere. Join in on the conversations, challenging the common narratives that lead to apathy about forced displacement issues.
If you’re interested in how to help, please email info@philoiglobal.org, and we can discuss how we can work together to make a difference.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THE DISPLACED:
$75 can provide a refugee family with emergency food rations, covering their basic needs.
$50 can fund a month’s worth of school fees or supply a school pack for a refugee child.
$150 can assist a refugee family with rent or cover medical expenses.
$9,000 can support a refugee family’s resettlement application or cover flights to a safer location in their home country.
Reach out to us for more information or any questions you may have. To give, click here.