As we gather with our loved ones this holiday season, millions around the world are experiencing displacement, separated from their homes and their families. According to the UN Refugee Agency, over 114 million people were forcibly displaced by mid-2024 — a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian challenges facing our world.
But there is cause for hope. This season, consider supporting refugee resettlement and support organizations in your workplace giving, like World Relief, Women for Women International, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), World Renew, and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Your contribution can help transform lives. Learn more about what support from you could look like:
World Relief: A home and a future for Amani’s family
When Amani’s family fled the war in Syria in 2011, they lost everything — their careers, connections, and sense of home. After nine years of waiting, they were finally resettled in the United States. World Relief Southern California’s Host Home Program connected them with Julie, who generously opened her home and heart.
What began as a nervous arrangement blossomed into a beautiful friendship. Julie shared her home, while Amani’s family offered hospitality in return. By June 2022, Amani’s family found their own apartment, with local support helping them furnish their new home. Today, Amani’s children are in school, her husband is studying graphic design, and she is pursuing a cosmetology license.
IOCC: Saving lives, one child at a time
Sabri’s family fled Syria to seek safety in Lebanon, but at 9 months old, Sabri faced severe malnutrition and weighed far less than he should. With support from IOCC, he received critical care, including hospital treatment during a life-threatening cardiac arrest.
Thanks to donor support, Sabri is now thriving. “If it wasn’t for IOCC,” his mother shared, “I could have lost him.” Around the world, IOCC provides clean water, education, job opportunities, and emergency aid, transforming lives every day.
Women for Women International: Investing in refugee women
The global refugee crisis disproportionately affects women and girls, who make up 50% of displaced populations. Women for Women International recognizes the unique challenges faced by refugee women, who often encounter multiple layers of oppression and vulnerability. Key challenges include: 1 in 5 women refugees experience sexual violence, women and children comprise the majority of displaced populations in conflict zones, and gender discrimination creates additional barriers to economic opportunity and stability. Learn more about these challenges and how Women for Women International is making a difference here.
Despite these challenges, Women for Women International sees immense potential. Their research shows that investing in women refugees could generate $1.4 trillion in annual GDP. By providing economic opportunities, skills training, and support, they help women transform their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
World Renew: Connecting refugees with hope and opportunity
In 2015, the Mabior family fled conflict in Sudan, seeking refuge in Kenya’s Kakuma camp, which now hosts up to 200,000 refugees. For Anyieth Mabior, the eldest sister, life in Kakuma was defined by immense responsibility. “I felt like the mother of the whole family,” she shared, recounting the daily challenges of caring for her siblings, children, and extended family. In 2018, hope arrived when Marantha Christian Reformed Church in Lethbridge, Canada, partnered with World Renew’s Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Program team to sponsor the Mabior family’s resettlement.
The transition brought both relief and challenges. “It was isolating at first,” said Anyieth, “but the church’s support helped us feel part of a community.” Now, the Mabior family calls Canada home, cherishing the security and freedom they’ve found. Through the support of organizations like World Renew and its partners, displaced families receive not only shelter, but also opportunities to rebuild their lives with dignity and become part of a community.
UMCOR: Relief and resilience in Eastern Congo
In conflict-stricken eastern Congo, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and United Methodist Global Ministries’ Global Health unit have provided food, hygiene kits, and essential supplies to over 15,000 displaced people.
This aid provided a month’s rations to the most vulnerable families, offering hope in a region plagued by decades of violence. “People are suffering terribly because of wars and are constantly on the move to flee terrorists (and) militia groups, leaving behind their property,” said East Congo Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda. UMCOR’s work in Congo continues to change lives. Beyond immediate relief, UMCOR’s holistic approach aims to restore dignity and resilience to those affected by conflict and natural disasters.
Your support matters
Organizations like World Relief, IOCC, Women for Women International, World Renew, and UMCOR are beacons of hope for displaced individuals and families worldwide. Whether it’s offering shelter, creating economic opportunities, or fostering a sense of belonging, their work reminds us that even in the face of immense hardship, resilience and kindness prevail. This holiday season, consider contributing to their vital work through your workplace. Together, we can make a difference and help rebuild lives torn apart by conflict and crisis.
Thank you World Relief, Women for Women International, World Renew, UMCOR, and IOCC for providing content for this blog.
