Refugee Aid Research Articles

Polish Assistance for the Ukrainian Refugees: Current State and Perspectives of Research

The aid for the Ukrainian refugees in Poland has been analyzed almost since the beginning of the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. In 2023, the first comprehensive studies on that topic were published. This article aims to map the state of research on Polish assistance – both direct and indirect support – to the Ukrainians fleeing the war to determine which issues have been the subject of analysis and which have been ignored. On the basis of the publications indexed in Scopus and in Google Scholar, a total of 110 publications dealing directly with the topic of the Polish aid for the Ukrainian refugees were identified. They include working papers, articles and books which were published from March 2022 to November 2023. The article is divided into four parts. The first part has an introductory character and aims at presenting the publications, which explain why Poland and its inhabitants massively helped the Ukrainian refugees. The next three parts focus on the role of the main types of actors involved in assisting the Ukrainians in Poland, i.e. state-institutions, actors such as non-governmental organizations, business, educational institutions and churches, and finally Polish society.

Animating the Jesuit mission while using education as a form of humanitarian aid: A case-study on the Jesuit Refugee Service in Lebanon

The Jesuit Refugee Service provides education programmes as a form of humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The Jesuit Refugee Service is called to support the mission of the Jesuits and the vision that Saint Ignatius of Loyola had for the Society of Jesus and Jesuit schools. The Jesuit Refugee Service needs to have a distinct service that separates them from simply offering aid in the same manner as a secular Non-Government Organization. This case study on the work of one project by the Jesuit Refugee Service in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon helps to illustrate how a Jesuit organization can animate the mission of the Jesuits and the Catholic Church while offering education as a form of humanitarian aid to non-Catholics.

Rethinking food aid for immigrants and refugees: Insights from Syracuse

AbstractMotivationFood security is a multidimensional issue, crucially underpinned by cultural acceptability, which significantly affects emotional well‐being and social integration. This study was motivated by the persistent challenge faced by refugee and immigrant communities in accessing culturally appropriate food, a critical aspect often overlooked by food assistance programmes. This gap both hinders nutritional intake and impedes the emotional and social well‐being of these vulnerable populations.PurposeThis study aimed to explore the alignment between the cultural dietary preferences of refugee and immigrant communities in Syracuse, New York, and the offerings of local food aid programmes, specifically focusing on culturally appropriate fresh produce. It sought to understand the extent to which food assistance meets the cultural needs of these communities, thereby informing potential improvements in food security practices and policy.Approach and MethodsUsing a mixed‐methods approach, the study collected quantitative and qualitative data. Surveys were conducted with 35 refugee and immigrant women to quantitatively assess the availability and suitability of culturally specific food items within local food bank programmes. In addition, qualitative insights were derived through focus group discussions with eight of these participants. This dual‐method approach allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of both perceived and actual gaps in service provision.FindingsThe findings highlighted a significant gap between the fresh produce provided by the food assistance programmes and the cultural dietary needs of the participants. Although these programmes provide essential nutrition, they often neglect to accommodate the cultural preferences of diverse communities. This emphasizes the urgent need for food aid initiatives to integrate cultural preferences, enhancing the acceptability of food aid and supporting the psychological adjustment of refugees and immigrants to new environments.Policy ImplicationsThis study underscored the need for policy‐makers and food assistance programmes to prioritize cultural appropriateness alongside nutritional adequacy. It recommended the adoption of more inclusive food distribution practices that recognize and respect the cultural diversity of beneficiaries. Such practices are crucial, not only for improving the nutritional and psychological outcomes of refugees and immigrants but also for fostering their integration and participation in the community. Establishing policies that encourage the inclusion of culturally diverse food options can significantly enhance the effectiveness of food security efforts.

Humanitarian capitalism: The labour regime of aid and the surrogate welfare state in times of global displacement

Recent literature on the geography and political economy of humanitarian migration governance has highlighted the diverse circuits of economic value being forged through ‘refugee crises’ across the world. However, there is a noticeable gap in the examination of what kind of labour relations sustain these new economic circuits. Additionally, there is limited analysis of how humanitarian labour practices intersect with existing geographies of labour precarity in regions where refugee aid operations are conducted. This article aims to address these gaps by exploring the dominant labour relations within the changing landscape of private and public service providers in Greece following the 2015–16 European ‘refugee crisis.’ The article argues that the growth of the refugee aid sector in Greece both capitalised on and exacerbated ongoing processes of labour market deregulation and public sector contraction. The burgeoning aid sector operated as a surrogate welfare state, relying on devalued local labour to address the basic social reproduction needs of global ‘surplus populations’. Extending discussions on the political economy of migration industries beyond profit-making to account for their role in transforming the welfare state and labour relations in spaces of accentuated capitalist crisis, the article demonstrates how the emergency temporalities of aid funding, the rise of public sector managerialism, and employment protection liberalisation impact migrant-facing services, effectively serving as both anti-labour and anti-immigration policy. Furthermore, it illustrates how politically induced migrant ruination is used as a lever to intensify and moralise humanitarian labour in a feedback loop detrimental to both working-class locals and migrants.

Bridging Global Protocols and Local Wisdom: Innovating Refugee Assistance Through a Harmonized Protection Model

This paper examines the critical need to integrate the Global Protection Cluster (GPC) approach with local knowledge to improve the effectiveness of refugee aid programs. It analyses the foundational principles of the GPC method in conjunction with the valuable insights provided by indigenous knowledge systems, proposing a comprehensive model to align global strategies with local realities. The study highlights the multifaceted advantages of this integrated approach through an extensive literature review and illustrative case studies from various contexts, including Afghanistan, Jordan, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. Particular emphasis is placed on the Rohingya refugee situation in Aceh, which serves as a pivotal case study demonstrating the transformative potential of incorporating local wisdom into program design. The paper advocates for a participatory model that prioritizes the active involvement of displaced communities in decision-making processes, ensuring that aid programs are culturally competent and responsive to refugees' specific needs. Key recommendations are provided for a wide range of stakeholders—policymakers, practitioners, organizations, and donors—emphasizing the importance of collaborative partnerships, adaptive program design, and community-led initiatives. The findings suggest that by embracing local knowledge and fostering inclusive participation, refugee aid programs can achieve greater sustainability and effectiveness, ultimately contributing to more resilient and empowered displaced populations.

Effects of Refugee Settlements on the Host Community Around Dadaab Refugee Camps in Northern Kenya

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of refugee settlements on the host community around Dadaab refugee camps in northern Kenya. The study objectives included establishing the effect of camp social facilities and infrastructure projects on the host community. The study was anchored by two theories: refugee aid and development theory. The study used a descriptive research approach. The unit of observation was comprised of the host community within the Dadaab refugee camps of Dagahaley, Ifo, and Hagadera in northern Kenya. The unit of analysis was community leaders, public administrators, and household heads. The study used the census technique due to the small size of the population to sample all 177 participants to be included in the study. The collection of primary data involved direct engagement with both the host community and refugees to fill out the questionnaire. The data analysis techniques used on the collected data were descriptive and inferential statistics. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) tool aided in data analysis. The analyzed data were presented in the form of means and standard deviations for ease of interpretation. Results revealed that each predictor variable, which is camp social facilities and infrastructure projects, had a significant impact on the host community; for instance, holding other factors, the host community will improve by 1.108 units. Moreover, a unit increase in the camp social facility will improve the host community by 0.718, while a unit increment in the infrastructural project will improve the host community by 0.275 units. The results suggest that there is a need for a comprehensive and integrated approach, which can lead to an improvement in the host community and have a sustainable impact on the host communities. The recommendation of the study was to recognize the substantial impact of the inflow of camp social facilities and the development of infrastructural projects, which are key in the enhancement and expansion of community facilities, to contribute to the overall quality of life for residents.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee Aid of Provision of Teachers’ Remuneration and Academic Performance in Primary Schools in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, Uganda

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee Aid of Provision of Teachers’ Remuneration and Academic Performance in Primary Schools in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, Uganda

Direct and indirect empathy in refugee aid

People may sometimes bridge the emotional gap to dissimilar others by practicing indirect empathy: imagining how close others would feel in the situation of a person in need. The present study tests this claim in the context of refugee aid. Practitioners working with refugees (N = 119) reported how often they experienced direct empathy (i.e., imagining how they would feel in the situation of the refugees they were working with) and indirect empathy (i.e., imagining how their close ones would feel in the situation of the refugees). They also indicated the extent to which they perceived the refugees as similar to themselves and the extent to which they believed that the refugees they were working with had been forced to leave their country. Practitioners in refugee aid reported experiencing direct empathy more often than indirect empathy – but the prevalence of both was high. Perceived forcedness and perceived similarity positively predicted direct and indirect empathy with similar effect sizes. These findings shed light on a previously overlooked phenomenon: People working with refugees frequently experience indirect empathy. They imagine how their close ones would feel if they were forced to migrate. Knowing more about this process could contribute to improving training and coaching for people working in refugee aid.

Using forced migration to foster emergence? International aid and development policies in Cameroon

Abstract This paper examines the alignment of refugee aid interventions with Cameroon’s national policy of emergence, shedding light on an authoritarian government's utilization of international assistance. Drawing on extensive ethnographic fieldwork, it investigates how international policies aiming at turning refugees into a development opportunity for their host states are managed by an aid-receiving country and strategically leveraged by Cameroonian authorities to strengthen their political apparatus. It explores how the government integrates humanitarian responses with large-scale development policies, while retaining control over strategic sectors. Implementing the emergence policy enables Cameroon to reappropriate international standards, navigating complex donor relations to establish new legitimacy. The analysis highlights the power dynamics and implications of aid interventions within an authoritarian context, demonstrating the state's capacity to transform internal crises into productive forces. This research contributes to a better understanding of the links between refugee aid, host states’ domestic and international politics, and migration diplomacy.

AN APPROACH AND STRATEGY FOR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL OF PRODUCTIVE ZAKAT THROUGH SHARIA CROWDFUNDING SYSTEM AND ZAKAT ALLOCATION TO EMPOWER ROHINGYA REFUGEES IN INDONESIA

The exodus of Rohingya refugees in Indonesia has occurred since 2009 until today. The Government of Indonesia has made various efforts to help the Rohingya refugees. Zakat funds have been allocated to fulfill the refugees' basic life requirements. This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing a literature review to explore the role of zakat-system crowdfunding in collecting funds, explicitly concentrating on programs initiated by the National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) for Rohingya refugees in Indonesia. Secondary data from prior research, diverse sources, journals, books, and the internet form the basis of this investigation, employing the triangulation technique to ensure data reliability. The findings underscore the vital role of zakat as humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees, contributing to social justice, equilibrium, guarantees, and safety. However, the existing zakat distribution primarily addresses immediate needs, necessitating long-term empowerment programs for the refugees' independence. A proposed model introduces a crowdfunding zakat system, offering a more efficient and transparent approach to collecting and distributing zakat to those in need. Additionally, the study presents an Integrated Zakat and Waqf Model for Refugees (IZWMR), amalgamating institutional and individual donations into a charity pooling fund. This model prioritizes basic needs fulfillment, entrepreneurship training, and microenterprise development, with cash waqf playing a crucial role in subsidizing profit margins and invigorating refugee businesses. Ultimately, these proposed models aim to elevate the welfare of Rohingya refugees in Indonesia, not only providing immediate relief but also empowering them with the tools for self-sufficiency and independence.

Humanitarian hacking: Merging refugee aid and digital capitalism

Abstract Hackathons have become popular for helping refugees, among NGOs, volunteers, and corporations but their material impact has been limited. This article explores two Techfugees hackathons in Copenhagen organized with support from Google. The article conceptualizes humanitarian hacking as a space where refugee aid meets digital capitalism by examining the practices of ‘hacking the refugee crisis’ within the analytical framework of critical refugee and humanitarian innovation literature. Rather than providing novel digital solutions, hackathons reproduce existing imaginaries that cast digital technologies as effective, quick-fix solutions; tech companies as innovation experts and humanitarian actors; and refugees as entrepreneurial subjects not in need of aid but of platforms and market opportunities. Thus, while humanitarian hacking has limited impact for the intended beneficiaries, it produces value for hackathon participants and the sponsor organizations. Crucially, humanitarian hacking places tech companies at the forefront of humanitarian aid for refugees and reaffirms humanitarian innovation policy narratives and Silicon Valley corporate humanitarianism.

Examining the Impact of Living in an Asylum on the Mental Health of Middle Eastern Refugees

Refugee aid is seldom a topic of American political conversations despite rising global refugee populations (American Immigration Council, 2020). Refugees who have fled or been forced out of their native country seek asylum, or protection from persecution, in a host country (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 2015). Thus, an asylum country is one in which refugees can live without fear of persecution or deportation to their native country, while they apply for permanent residence or resettlement (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 2015). Many Middle Eastern nations including Syria, Libya, Yemen, and Palestine are currently experiencing war and subsequently, hundreds of thousands of individuals from these nations have been forced to seek asylum elsewhere (International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2022). Adjusting to asylum countries may affect mental health, which is an individual’s state of psychological wellness (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2022). Thus, this paper will examine how relocation to an asylum country impacts the mental health of Middle Eastern refugees.

Istanbul Local Government Policy on Managing Syrian Refugees Integration

The integration of Turkish refugees is a policy of harmonizing refugees into society, and the Istanbul local government tries to implement policies in the same direction as the Turkish Central Government. This article examines the policies and role of the Istanbul government in handling Syrian refugees in the Istanbul area in refugee integration. Turkey has been one of the largest recipients and donors of aid for Syrian refugees. Meanwhile, Istanbul has been a place where many migrants live, especially Syrian refugees. This research uses qualitative methods by collecting data through literature studies and descriptive data analysis. The article uses the cosmopolitanism theory to explain how the Istanbul government's policy in accepting refugee arrivals and its intention to help refugees are based on humanitarian principles. The findings showed that the lack of clarity in the Turkish government's general policy, which does not provide general standards and procedures for refugee integration, caused the Istanbul local government to adopt adaptive policies. Health and education are still the main challenges constrained by resources and funds. The assistance the Istanbul government provides Syrian refugees is motivated by humanitarian reasons, where the Istanbul government views Syrian refugees as human beings with the same rights as other Turkish citizens through a cosmopolitanism approach.

Good practice in reaching and treating refugees in addiction care in Germany – a Delphi study

BackgroundHealth and adequate access to health care are human rights. Refugees are at risk for substance abuse. Despite the known structural and personal risk factors for abuse, refugees in Germany continue to face barriers to adequate addiction prevention and care, which is a violation of the fundamental human right to health care. The question arises as to how barriers for refugees in reaching addiction services and care can be overcome. In the presented study, strategies for good practices to deconstruct these barriers were identified.MethodA total of 21 experts participated in a three-round, consensus-oriented Delphi-Process. The experts represented five different fields: addiction care services, including specialized programs for women, refugee aid services, academia, policy-making and immigrants’ self-help services.ResultsThe Delphi-Process generated 39 strategies of good practice summarized in 9 major categories: Care System, Framework Conditions, Multilingualism, Information and Education, Access, Service-Level, Employee-Level, Employee-Attitudes and Networking.ConclusionIn order to guarantee human rights regarding health and adequate access to health care for refugees, institutional barriers limiting access to prevention and treatment programs for addictive disorders must be abolished. The identified good practice strategies for Germany, if widely implemented, could contribute to this aim. By opening up prevention and treatment facilities for refugees, other marginalized groups could also benefit. While some of the strategies need to be implemented at the institutional level, political steps are also required at the system level including, e.g. financing of adequate translation services.

Społeczeństwo obywatelskie w Polsce po 1989 roku – dynamika, ocena i prognozy rozwoju

The development of civil society in Poland was one of the goals of the political transformation in 1989. Since then, Polish interest in social issues has grown, although not to the extent expected, not fully realizing its potential. Since 2015, compared to previous years, there seems to be an increasing willingness among Poles to engage in social matters, evident through protest movements and demonstrations, and after 2022, also through involvement in humanitarian aid for refugees from Ukraine. To present the dynamics, evaluate, and outline a forecast for the development of Polish civil society, the article starts by presenting the evolution of the concept and its significance for democracy. It also highlights practical manifestations of civil society functioning. Drawing on statistical research conducted by CBOS and GUS regarding the social engagement of Poles, as well as Elżbieta Korolczuk’s article on the nature of contemporary civil society in Poland, the article analyzes trends and changes in the activation of Poles, pointing out areas of greatest interest. The paper also presents challenges faced by contemporary civil society to effectively outline potential directions of its development.

Art Therapy as Psychological First Aid for Korean-Ukrainian Refugees

A single session art therapy intervention for Korean-Ukrainians who sought refuge in South Korea integrated Psychological First Aid (PFA) protocols in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The program incorporated the World Health Organization recommended tasks of “look, listen, and link” in a thoughtfully executed two-hour timeframe for adults and children. The program enabled participants to imagine safety, develop self and collective efficacy, and affirm connectedness and hope. From this program, art therapists can work within a PFA framework by emphasizing emotional expression as well as building connections and social networks.

Welcoming Strangers: Protestant Churches’ Involvement in Refugee Resettlement in the United States

AbstractProviding shelters and other aid for refugees is one of the core Christian principles, but there exists a great divide in Protestant churches’ response to the refugee crisis. This study examines what contributes to the divide, focusing on how various congregational characteristics relate to churches’ interests and involvement in refugee resettlement. The analysis of the 2018–2019 National Congregations Study data reveals that political conservatism within a church is linked to the disinterest in refugee resettlement. The results also show that churches with more members who have a bachelor's degree and churches participating in international humanitarian works are more likely to have discussions on refugee resettlement. In terms of direct involvement in helping refugees, congregational members’ migration experiences seem to make a significant difference.

Polish-American cooperation to support Ukraine after Russian aggression in 2022

The article analyses and evaluates Polish-American cooperation in support of Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale aggression in 2022. It answers the question regarding the importance of Polish-American cooperation in supporting the Ukrainian state and society. It assumes that Polish-American cooperation plays a key role in the areas of military and non-military assistance for Ukraine and Ukrainians. Both countries are among the main donors of military equipment to Ukraine, which is delivered via the territory of Poland. In addition, they put great pressure on European countries to increase military support to Ukraine. Polish-American cooperation in non-military areas is also of great importance. Poland’s aid for Ukrainian refugees is crucial, and the US is involved in its delivery and financing. The US, in turn, is of paramount importance in imposing sanctions on Russia to force it to stop its aggression and in providing economic assistance to Ukraine. Poland participates in the sanctions system and strives to make them as severe as possible. Another area of Polish-American cooperation is LNG trade, which allows Poland, and potentially also other CEE countries, including Ukraine, to secure natural gas supplies after abandoning imports from Russia. During the research, interviews with American scientists and experts were conducted, and the method of analysing the content of text sources was used.

Turkey's Humanitarian Aid Through Education Provision of the Syrian Children School-Aged Refugees

The article explains how the Turkish government carries out a policy of providing education for Syrian school-age refugees. Turkey is the largest recipient and the second largest contributor of Syrian refugee aid, primarily as a transit country with many refugees bound for Europe via Turkey before continuing to their destination countries. As the host of refugees, a significant amount requires Turkey to help and facilitate them to access various services, such as social services, health, and especially education for school-age children. The study uses qualitative methods through data collection in literature studies and descriptive data analysis. The study uses qualitative methods through data collection in literature studies and descriptive data analysis. Research has found that Turkey's education policy has shown significant results, helping Syrian refugees at school age because of the ease of access to education that can be obtained, including rights and benefits equal to other Turkish children. Policies imposed by Turkey, such as psychological assistance for children who are still experiencing trauma and the provision of facilities in temporary education or Turkish public schools, have been successfully adopted.

How humanitarian–development responses may discriminate by nationality: Refugee and migrant inclusion following the 2016 Jordan Compact

AbstractMotivationThe Jordan Compact was signed in 2016 by the Government of Jordan and the European Union (EU) to allow 200,000 Syrian refugees to work in Jordan in exchange for better access to the EU market for Jordan's exports. This marked a transition for Jordan's humanitarian sector. However, while services did indeed expand and elements of labour transitions and livelihood support were included, these benefits were exclusively for Syrian refugees and Jordanians, with little consideration given to other vulnerable refugees and migrant workers.PurposeWe examine how the Jordan Compact affected refugee aid and inclusion for Syrians, and its effects on other refugees and migrant workers in Jordan.Methods and approachWe draw on media and news articles, reports from non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) and the United Nations, Jordanian law and policy, and prior academic research. We analyse the content of key informant interviews with representatives of government, international organizations, and NGOs conducted in August 2019. We use observations from the author's experience as a development worker in Jordan from 2016 to 2020.Policy implicationsSituated in an increasingly complex debate on the differential reception of refugees, we show differential treatment of refugees beyond reception and border policy. The selective, temporary, nationality‐based legalization of refugee labour is intrinsically linked to the nature of refugeehood, whereby governments cannot maintain strict short‐term limits on residency as they can with migrant labour.