Various countries are kind enough to protect the citizens of nations wherein it is impossible to live a normal life. For example, poverty reins all over the place, and there is no job available for them. There may be an ongoing war between terrorist and military groups as well, which prevent the people from leaving or even staying inside their homes without fear.
It’s understandable to assume that the elevated levels of trauma, anxiety, and depression we see among refugees from war zones like Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq are the result of the violence and loss they’ve experienced prior to becoming displaced. — Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D.
The reality, however, is that the hardships of the displaced individuals and families do not end as soon as they step on distant soil. Here are some of the stress related situations refugees endure and face after relocating.
- Language Barrier
Let’s be honest about one thing – many asylum seekers come to countries without knowing how to speak English. With it being the universal language, you can communicate with others even when their native tongue is French, Greek, et cetera. If you can’t talk even in broken language, though, it can be a challenge to find people who can help you in the new country.
- Racial Discrimination
Most citizens of wealthy nations are not oblivious of the fact that there are newcomers in the land who need assistance to restart their life. They don’t hesitate to lend a hand or offer a place to stay for them, albeit temporarily. Nevertheless, it is not surprising to also come across individuals who merely want to mingle with their “own” kind. When they see refugees, they tend to frown or walk away in disgust or drop harsh words, which is incredibly wrong and discriminating.
- Employment
Earning money for many refugees means having to take odd jobs to make ends meet. While that is acceptable for folks who did not have a good life back home, the professional ones feel depressed because they cannot apply for a similar position they held in the past. It does not help at all that some employers use their desperation to find work to exploit their skills and place them in risky situations.
- Legal Documentation
It won’t be easy to meet a refugee who entered a foreign land for the first time with legal papers. Most – if not all – of them came in through backdoor entry points or by faking their documents. Once you decide to seek asylum properly, however, you will then need to prove that it won’t be safe for you to return to your motherland before the government allows you to get documented.
Alteration of a person’s mental health is a serious action that can influence a variety of detrimental consequences. Researchers explain that when the mental health of one person is affected, it can produce a domino effect extending beyond that individual. —
- Cultural Change
If you have always lived in, say, an Arab nation, you may not get used to the laws and trends in other non-Islamic countries. When you are in the United States or any European realm, after all, they are quite open to dating in public. It is rare to see folks who cover their faces for religious reasons as well. Such a sudden change from being a part of the majority to become a minority may be problematic for refugees.
- Housing
Coming to a foreign country with barely enough funds can undeniably make it almost impossible to afford a small apartment for a few months. Many refugees who come to the land without proper documents tend to sleep in dark alleys in fear of being seen by police officers who might ask for their papers.
To Sum Things Up
To love refugees as our neighbors, we must consider beyond figuring out where to put them and work to create educational and career opportunities that will help them thrive long-term and break the cycle of violence and war that leads to displacement. — Jamie D. Aten Ph.D.
The journey to freedom may never come easy for asylum seekers. There may be groups willing to take them in, but they cannot rely on others’ help forever. They may try to make it on their own from the start too, yet the chances of experiencing exploitation and discrimination are too high.
Nevertheless, if you genuinely want to start anew in a foreign land, you should figure out a way to overcome the problems mentioned above. Good luck!