Do you know the difference between a refugee and a displaced person?
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), “A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence.”
Refugees are often targeted because of their race, nationality, religion, or socio-political status. Many refugees either can’t or fear returning home. International law also guarantees refugees certain rights and protections by their host country.
So how do refugees differ from internally displaced people? Great question!
You can provide a week’s worth of emergency aid to a refugee or displaced person today!
The UNHCR also says, “An internally displaced person, or IDP, is someone who has been forced to flee their home but never cross an international border.”
These men, women, and children often flee for the same reasons as refugees. They resettle in nearby towns, camps, or other open areas within their home country, but unfortunately, they’re not protected under international law like refugees.
Since internally displaced people remain in their home country, it’s up to their government to care for them — even if said government can’t or won’t meet their needs.
Today, there are more than 35.3 million refugees and 62.5 million internally displaced people worldwide … and they’re all in desperate need of help and hope.
Here are a few examples of what it’s like to live as a refugee or displaced person:
Afghanistan
Some families in Afghanistan have resorted to selling their daughters to buy food and water
Setara, whose name is changed to protect her identity, cares for seven orphaned children. She earns a small income collecting and selling plastics — but it’s never enough to make ends meet.
Being internally displaced in Afghanistan means that Setara has no way to provide for the children in her care. Not only do they suffer in horrible living conditions, but women aren’t allowed to work in Afghanistan anymore, so she can’t find a better source of income. Setara doesn’t know how she will continue caring for seven children … but they have nowhere else to go.
“The kids cry for food and water, but I have nothing to give them,” Setara said.
Syria
Refugee mothers like Katmeh around the globe struggle to provide for their children
For over a decade, Syrian refugees like Katmeh have fled to Jordan to escape a deadly civil war. Many families have resettled in refugee camps. Jordan is also home to the Zaatari camp — one of the largest refugee camps on earth.
Katmeh is a single mother of six. One of her children has a disability that requires around-the-clock care, which makes it impossible for Katmeh to hold a job. And with no steady source of income, she struggles to buy essentials like food, water, and medicine for her family.
“The disabled child always needs milk and a monthly medicine that costs $60,” our partner shared. “And [Katmeh] has no income to provide her children with food.”
Ukraine
You can demonstrate God’s love by helping refugees and displaced people like Svetlana
Svetlana moved her family west after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She and her family resettled in Lviv, where they faced a new set of challenges living as displaced people.
During an air raid, her 14-year-old son became hysterical and inconsolable. At first, Svetlana thought it was psychological trauma from the war, but he was actually having a stroke.
Today, the small income she earns working remotely as a teacher goes toward paying his medical bills … leaving little money for necessities like food, water, and shelter.
Thankfully, you can provide lifesaving supplies to both refugees and internally displaced people all around the world! Your gift today will provide refugees and displaced people like Setara, Katmeh, and Svetlana with the essentials they need to survive.
For just $35, you can provide a week’s worth of emergency supplies like food, water, medical care, and more to a refugee or displaced person in need.
Please give your best gift now to help transform a life and be the hands and feet of Jesus to someone who needs to experience His love.