Refugees are those who flee their home countries in search of safety. Refugees may have fled their country of origin for a number of reasons, including poverty, natural disasters, or war. However, all refugees need help to resettle after immigration. These are four forms of assistance available for refugees:
1. Legal Aid
Refugees can seek asylum in other countries when fleeing from war or persecution. Unlike other forms of immigration, which require a person to obtain a visa in advance, the process of asylum-seeking begins when a person or family arrives in their new country. Navigating the legal process can be challenging for anyone, especially refugees who may be unfamiliar with the country's laws. That's why many charities focus on refugee aid and offer legal assistance. Lawyers can help refugees fill out the necessary paperwork and collect the documents they need to legally become residents.
2. Housing Assistance
Overcoming legal hurdles is only the first step in settling in a new country. Many refugees have few funds and struggle to find adequate housing for themselves and their families. Housing assistance programs can help refugees find safe and stable places to live. Some programs pair refugees with host families who open their homes to recent immigrants. Other housing assistance programs work to help refugees find temporary or permanent homes of their own.
3. Food Assistance
In addition to shelter, refugees also need clean and healthy food to eat. Many refugee assistants programs provide food assistance in the form of prepared meals and groceries. Some refugee charities help refugees apply for federal and state benefits to which they are entitled. Food stamps, which help low-income people afford meals, can supplement the budgets of new refugees and help them get back on their feet.
4. Medical Care
Medical care is also a necessity. Refugees fleeing persecution, natural disasters, and wars may struggle with mental and physical ailments as a result of their past experiences. Refugee assistance charities can help eligible people sign up for medical insurance. Some doctors also donate their time to provide pro bono dental and medical care to new refugees.
Mental health care is also important. Sliding-scale therapy clinics can help low-income immigrants access psychiatric and psychological care. This can be especially important for people who have sustained trauma. Therapists that work with refugee charities often specialize in treating the specific concerns shared by many new and recent refugees.
Contact a local humanitarian service to learn how you can provide refugee assistance.
Share25 August 2022
Humanitarian efforts are all around you. Do you watch the news each night and see the many disasters that occur on a daily basis? Do you wish that there was something that you could do to help the many people affected by those disasters? Have you ever considered volunteering for a service that assists these people in their time of need? There are many organizations out there looking for people to help them help others. I know this very well because my entire family takes part in many of these activities. Visit my site to find out more about how your family can help others in your area.