Who Helps Refugees? 5 Organizations Making an Impact

In a world where almost 120 million people have been forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, and human rights violations, many organizations are working tirelessly to provide aid and support to refugees. It can be difficult to determine who helps refugees effectively and which organizations are doing the most for refugees and displaced people around the world. As a refugee-serving nonprofit that values collaboration, RefugePoint partners with other organizations—some of whom are on this list—across many of our programs. We’ve rounded up five organizations that support refugees in meaningful and unique ways.

Related: See RefugePoint’s place in the diverse field of refugee response

1. RefugePoint

Unlike organizations focusing solely on emergency relief, RefugePoint partners with refugees to find lasting solutions. We help refugees around the world permanently relocate to safe, new countries to rebuild their lives, either via resettlement or other pathways to safety such as family reunification and labor mobility. Through our self-reliance program, we help refugees reach stability, build social and economic capital, and engage in dignified livelihoods in the countries to which they have fled so they can meet their own essential needs as an important step towards integration or other solutions. 

Our innovative strategies have transformed the lives of over 140,000 refugees, making RefugePoint a top choice for those seeking to support refugees in meaningful ways.

Watch: A refugee mother and son reunite after 7 years apart

2. International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)

The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) focuses on providing legal aid to refugees and displaced persons and improving refugee laws and policies. IRAP’s team of lawyers and advocates work to secure safe passage, legal status, and resettlement for refugees facing legal obstacles. Their mission is to ensure that refugees receive the protection and legal rights they deserve, making a profound impact on their safety and future. Using the knowledge gained from working directly with refugees, IRAP advocates for systemic improvements and initiates precedent-setting litigation to challenge refugee rights violations.

RefugePoint works hand-in-hand with IRAP, HIAS (below), UNHCR, and the U.S. Department of State to expand access to resettlement for refugees in precarious situations around the world.

3. HIAS

HIAS, founded in 1903, is dedicated to creating a world where refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity. With offices throughout the world, they offer a range of services including legal protection, resettlement, economic inclusion, and integration programs. HIAS is a strong and influential voice in advocating for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in the U.S. and globally. HIAS’s longstanding commitment to supporting refugees underscores their value in the world of refugee response. 

HIAS and RefugePoint have long collaborated on expanding the role of NGOs in identifying and referring refugees for resettlement. As both organizations have offices in Nairobi, HIAS and RefugePoint collaborate closely on refugee solutions in Kenya. 

4. Youth Voices Community (YVC)

Youth Voices Community (YVC) is a refugee-led organization based in Nairobi, Kenya that aims to build awareness of the experiences of refugee children and young adults while also developing their self-reliance. YVC’s mission is to give a voice to refugee and local youths experiencing vulnerabilities by helping them share their stories, building their capacity to thrive, and engaging in advocacy.

In a program funded by RefugePoint, YVC rolled out an Entrepreneurship & Financial Skills Training program aimed to empower women refugees in Nairobi with essential skills to establish and manage businesses successfully. YVC selected 30 women aged 18-35 with basic tailoring skills and proficiency in reading and writing who were taken through comprehensive entrepreneurship training. Upon completion of the training, the women were each issued a sewing machine to help them begin their income journey. The women report that receiving entrepreneurship training and the sewing machine has brought them a step closer to attaining self-reliance. YVC continues to offer business mentorship and monitoring to this cohort.

Members of RefugePoint, Youth Voices Community, and graduates of the first tailoring program pose with one of the sewing machines awarded to the graduates.

5. Community Sponsorship Hub

The Community Sponsorship Hub (CSH) is an innovative endeavor that empowers U.S.-based communities to welcome and support refugees. CSH leads the consortium of organizations that, together with the U.S. State Department, developed and now implement the new Welcome Corps program. By coordinating and supporting community-led sponsorship, CSH helps to create sustainable, long-term solutions for refugee resettlement and integration. Their approach strengthens the bonds between refugees and their host communities, ensuring that newcomers receive the support they need to thrive. CSH’s work exemplifies the power of grassroots involvement in refugee solutions and broadens public support for refugee admissions.

RefugePoint worked closely with the Community Sponsorship Hub to build the Sponsor Circle Program for Afghans in 2021, which was the precursor to the Welcome Corps. 

Conclusion

Organizations like RefugePoint, IRAP, HIAS, Community Sponsorship Hub, and Youth Voices Community each play a unique and crucial role in helping refugees. These organizations are each making a tangible impact on the lives of refugees, and through collaboration, the impact multiplies. By supporting them, you can contribute to the global effort to provide safety, hope, and opportunities for refugees.

*Author’s note: Brief descriptions of these organizations cannot wholly encompass the breadth of programs and services that are offered. We’ve linked to each org’s website and encourage you to visit each page to learn more.

By Alison Pappavaselio, RefugePoint

Cover photo: A RefugePoint Expert walks with refugee clients in Rwanda. Chris Jensen, RefugePoint