9 Things I Learned from the USA for UNHCR Briefing Call

Last month, I was honored to be invited to sit in on a briefing call for USA for UNHCR, along with others who work alongside them. It was extremely informing, and I found myself taking in as much as I could. Below, here are nine things I learned during the call about the current state of the worldwide humanitarian crisis:

1. At the end of 2021, 89.3 million people were forced to flee their homes. Today, that number is more than 100 million.

2. There are currently 21.3 million refugees under UNHCR’s mandate, with 5.8 million of them being Palestinian refugees under UNRWA’s mandate.

3. Right now UNHCR is involved in and provides aid to 40 active emergencies.

4. This is not a refugee crisis. It is a political will crisis. It’s not refugees who are causing these problems. It is the lack of political will that is causing the greatest amount of human suffering. World leaders are able to solve this crisis When governments share responsibility and everyone comes together, it is manageable. When there is the political will, it can be addressed in a way that is more humane and responsible.

5. These are the counties that host the most refugees:

   Turkey

   Colombia

   Uganda

   Pakistan

   Germany

6. 83% of all refugees are coming from just 10 countries. The largest numbers are from Syria and Ukraine with 7 million.

7. Lower income countries are the ones who are mainly hosting. Poorer countries are showing the most solidarity and hospitality, even when they themselves are suffering greatly. It’s only through responsibility sharing that we can address the refugee criss around the world.

8. The worsening climate crisis is resulting in extreme weather events that force people into displacement in their own countries

9. In 2021 alone, 23 million people were displaced within their own countries by extreme weather events like floods, storms and droughts. 85% forced to flee are already living in places that are on the front lines of the global crisis.

If you would like to learn more, or are able to give any amount you can, please click here to make a life-saving donation to USA for UNHCR. Thank you so much for reading.

(Above photo via USA for UNHCR’s Instagram)

The Ukrainian Crisis is Inescapable

The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is unfolding every day, and has now forced more than 10 million people from their home in the last few weeks- 4.7 million refugees and 7.1 million internally displaced people (IDPs). The world watches in horror as millions of innocent lives, most of them women and children, are affected by the Russian invasion.

There are also an additional 13 million people who remain stranded in hard to reach areas, directly affected by the conflict and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. As the conflict continues, USA for UNHCR is on the ground, day and night, providing aid to those who have been forced to flee their homes due to this conflict.

Please, if you are able to, consider making a compassionate donation today.

(information via USA for UNHCR)

5 Things You Should Know About the Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine is continuing on day after day, leaving millions forcibly displaced and with little to no options. Today I wanted to share some basic information about the crisis from USA for UNHCR, because I believe, at the very least, we should all be as informed as we can in order to properly help those who need it.

1. When did the Ukraine crisis begin?

   While there has been conflict in Ukraine for almost eight years (with UNHCR identifying 2.9 million people who already needed humanitarian assistance before this year), the most recent act of violence began on February 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, and from there, the crisis escalated at an alarmingly rapid rate.

2. Who is impacted by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine?

   Over 12 million people have been affected by this war, with a projected 18 million people expected to be affected. There are 41.4 million people in the country, so almost half the population will feel the effects of this war. USA for UNHCR points out that, “Elderly and disabled people are particularly at risk as they may be unable to flee or may choose to stay in the impacted areas. Women and girls are at greatest risk for gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse.”

3. Who is fleeing Ukraine and where are they going?

   More than 10 million people have been forced to flee from their homes in the last several weeks — 4.7M refugees and 7.1 internally displaced people (IDPs). Millions have found refuge in Poland, followed by Romania and Moldova, with the rest finding safety in other European countries.

   USA for UNHCR shares that, “The majority of the people fleeing Ukraine are women and children who account for 90 percent of refugees. Women face significant challenges and are at the greatest risk for sexual exploitation and abuse, human trafficking and forced prostitution. Given the high protection risks, UNHCR staff are in neighboring countries carrying out regular protection monitoring at border crossing points and transit centers to assess protection risks.”

4. What is UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, doing to help?

   In short, an enormous amount:

   “UNHCR and its partners are on the ground providing crucial humanitarian assistance and protection and deploying more staff and relief items in the region. In Ukraine, UNHCR is distributing emergency supply kits with items like thermal blankets and water cans and strengthening nationwide hotlines. UNHCR is helping to set up transit centers in neighboring countries to assess the needs of newly displaced people and provide temporary shelter. 

   UNHCR is working with national authorities and child welfare and protection specialists to support vulnerable groups fleeing from Ukraine. As women and children constitute the majority of people fleeing Ukraine, UNHCR has initiated a ‘Stay Safe campaign’ across neighboring countries to raise awareness among refugees fleeing Ukraine about the increased risks of trafficking and exploitation. UNHCR and UNICEF are also jointly rolling out Blue Dots, safe spaces for children, families and others with specific needs, across the region.”

5. What can you do to help?

   The people of Ukraine, along with all forcibly displaced persons around the world, need our help. No matter the amount, no matter if it’s even just talking about the crisis and spreading awareness, every little bit counts.

   If you are able to, please consider making a compassionate donation today.

(All information provided by USA for UNHCR)

It Feels Good To Be Home, But What About Those Who Don't Have a Home to Return To?

We’re home from the beach!

What is it that feels so good about coming home from a long trip (and a long car ride) and walking through your front door? Even if your house is messy? Even if it smells kind of funny after sitting still for a week? 

I ask myself this question every time we travel, no matter if we’ve been gone for a few days or longer. I think it all goes back to our overwhelming love for home; what it means, who it is, what it feels like. Right now, home feels like laundry on the couches, little dogs scurrying across the hardwood floors, kids laughing (and crying) in the background, PJ talking about one of the renovation projects he’s working on. Little things. Details that mean so much to me.

As good as it feels to be home, I can’t stop thinking of those in Ukraine who don’t have a home to go to. Who have been forced to flee from their belongings, their houses, their loved ones, in order to escape the ongoing war. I think about how there might be someone there who is maybe my age, my same height and build, who loves the same things as I do. Maybe they love home as much as my family does, too. I think about how there might not be such a difference between us, except geographically. I think about how badly they must be hurting, knowing they won’t be going home tonight, because maybe their home isn’t even there anymore and if it is, who knows when they’ll be able to return to it?

Keeping the people of Ukraine in my heart tonight, and may we all continue to advocate for them. Here is a list of 27 meaningful ways to help, (you can also purchase Airbnb’s), and as always, please consider donating whatever amount you can to USA for UNHCR, who are on the ground helping those who need it more than ever.

How to Help Ukraine Right Now

Ukraine is officially under attack after Putin declared war this morning (to understand the whole story, click here), with Russia invading and attacking Ukraine after weeks of rising tensions between the neighboring countries.

The attacks have already killed dozens of Ukrainians and left many families and children displaced and fearing for their lives. The future of the Ukrainian people is in jeopardy and so much is up in the air right now. If you’re like me, you’re looking for ways to help those who are in this tragic situation; those whose entire lives have changed over the course of a single day.

USA for UNHCR is accepting emergency donations to help the people of Ukraine right now. If you can, please consider donating by clicking here. Any amount (truly, anything) will help provide emergency assistance to those who need it most, and who never wanted this conflict in the first place.

USA for UNHCR explains that:

“Even before the most recent crisis, years of conflict in Ukraine have forced more than two million children, women and men from their homes and left them struggling to survive. Nearly three million people in Ukraine will require humanitarian assistance this year. Those fleeing for their lives need immediate shelter, protection and safety.”

This crisis is happening in real time, with lives hanging in the balance as the brink of World War III looms over the two countries and, quite frankly, over the rest of us as well (even if Biden has said US troops will not invade Russia). Your support to help those who need it most goes a long way, no matter how you show it.

Thank you for reading, and please stay safe.

(photo via Shutterstock)