10 things YOU can do for the world’s refugees

Every June, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) launches its list of the ten most neglected crises in the world. The list is based on three criteria: lack of financial support for humanitarian aid work, low media coverage, and political and diplomatic neglect.

YOU are part of the solution

Although the situation is extremely precarious, it is possible to deal with these crises – they are not insoluble problems. But then we must be willing to take them seriously.

Not too many years ago, there were just a handful of researchers and activists warning about climate change and its consequences. Now we know that everyone has a responsibility and that we can do something to reverse the negative trend. We will never be able to say that “we didn’t know…”.

How we solve these displacement crises today says everything about the kind of society we want to have and preserve. Look at how one voice is making a big difference to the discussion on climate change: Greta Thunberg, a 17-year-old Swedish girl, has managed to turn the whole world’s eyes to the crisis. Your attention and your voice matter!

We must act

Clearly, refugee crises require political solutions. But they also require personal actions. We must start thinking and acting differently. If you are a manager, hire refugees. If you end up in discussions, challenge myths and prejudices about refugees when friends and family members repeat them. When there are parliamentary elections, vote for politicians who want to put into practice solutions that can solve the crises. If you have money to spare, donate to humanitarian aid organisations that can make a difference.