Chagos Refugees Group

Source: en-wikipedia.org

 

As the coronavirus outbreak takes on the whole world, human rights groups are vigilant of the tremendous impact that the virus might have on the world’s most defenseless populations, and this includes the refugees.

The Refugee

Refugees, also known as asylum seekers, are individuals who have been maltreated or discriminated against and have decided to remove themselves from their homes because they feel that they are no longer safe. They then flee to another country, where they apply for asylum and are granted refugee status. That is how these groups of people become refugees. As of today, there are about 25 million of them all over the world, the largest of which are from Afghanistan, South Sudan, Syria, Somalia, and Burma.

Vulnerable To COVID-19 Contamination

Refugees will most likely be infected the same way that others are by their host communities, although refugees are more susceptible. This is why.

Refugee camps are typically seen in areas where there is a lack of medical care, and there are no hospitals nearby. The larger refugee camps may have them, even ventilators and ICUs, but only very few. Lately, though, more hospitals badly need additional ventilators, and the pressing matter is whether these refugee camps will even be left with one or two ventilators when the national hospitals can’t risk lending them. Thus, health care is a significant vulnerability.

The second reason is that refugees usually thrive with multiple families and in densely populated environments. Social distancing will most probably be painful for them to practice, as there will be no more space for them to do just that. This is seen in Bangladesh with the Rohingya population – 900,000 of them are staying in one area.

Source: wfae.org

Lastly, refugees have a high probability of having existing health conditions like malnutrition. This is why researchers and experts are concerned that they are among the most susceptible to acquiring COVID-19, and it will affect them more rigorously than the rest of the people in their corresponding communities.

Outbreaks In Refugee Populations

There is currently an outbreak in Greece where refugees and migrants are staying. In a place that’s snug and detention-like, the coronavirus will spread rapidly. That is one of the worst situations. It is not sensible to place people in these kinds of situations. Some refugees in American detention centers have also been found to have positive cases of the virus among refugees and migrants. In other countries, on the other hand, there have also been minor outbreaks, but apparently, we all have not seen the worst of it yet, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and other parts of Asia. Refugees are rampant in these countries.

Measures Taken For Refugee Camps

A new technique being used in camps today is known as shielding. Families that know each other transfer their seniors and those with existing conditions to separate locations, distancing them from the other fields to protect them. They are ‘shielded’ because they are the most susceptible groups. This is done before contamination occurs in the community. So far, this has been effective in camps that made attempts at meticulously implementing the technique.

Other measures done include the closure of schools and other institutions and risk communication, which means discussing to people what the virus is, how they can acquire it, and what they can do to prevent further infection. More isolation centers are also being put in place.

Preventing And Minimizing Infection Among Refugees

Testing centers should be positioned in corresponding areas within the community for everyone – national or refugee. Differentiating is a bad display of public health sense. Funding for low and middle-income countries should be made available so that they will have the means to fight against the virus. Though the spread is largely in major countries with high incomes, those with low incomes will be severely affected if the outbreak hits them, and they have no external financial assistance.

Source: flickr.com

Finally, let us not use this global crisis as an excuse to magnify stigma or to stop helping refugees. The COVID-19 has nothing to do with your position – who’s national and who’s a refugee. The virus affects all of us.

  

 

 

In the 2017 help refugees conference, there is an emphasis on the people’s contribution to those unfortunate individuals. Since a lot of these refugees have been driven away from their country, they all need assistance. Most of their populations are stranded, drifted in the ocean, and thriving in different neighboring countries. They have little hope of surviving and returning to their homes.

Source: flickr.com

In the conference, influencers and speakers point out the unified system that attempts to manage the situation. However, it pretty much doesn’t control it that easily. So to make a huge difference, people must develop compassion for those refugees. That is why they highlighted the most realistic ways to help the less fortunate.

Employ – Refugees can only survive their situation if a specific country accepts them. However, the government they are at might not agree on providing their needs forever. So instead of looking at them as guests or burden, it would be beneficial if they get employed. That way, they can serve and survive at the same time.

Donate – Employment is far better than a donation. However, considering there are women and children, the donation is the best option. To support most of them, people should start by providing shelter. Then it can be followed by food, clothing, and cash assistance. There are millions of people in the world, and with a dollar donation, a piece can make a difference.

Source: needpix.com

Fundraising – Knowing that there are refugees out there is not enough. Wishing them well will not help them either. Ignoring these people’s existence is never going to solve anything. As an individual, you can allow awareness. Hold fundraising, volunteer, and spread the words to your colleagues and friends. Let everybody know about them and become part of a reliable system that focuses on helping the refugees.

You can help. You only need to start working on it.

Have you always wanted to offer inspiration to the people surrounding you? Do you want to extend your helping hands to those who need it the most? Are you interested in sharing what you have so that you can motivate others to enjoy their lives? Is it your goal to give other people the reasons to continue living their lives? If you answered yes to all these questions, then be sure to read this article from start to finish.

For today’s post, we are going to provide you with a list of things that you must consider so that you can continue to inspire others. Take note that being a source of inspiration for the people around you is a tough job. Nonetheless, it does not mean that you cannot do anything to change it. Here are some of the things that you must consider if you want to this right:

Be Genuine

As much as possible, try to show your true colors to everyone around you at all times. Never be a fake person who is only doing something because you expect someone to pay you back. If you want to continue inspiring others, you have to start by showing everyone that you are a genuine person.

Believe In Yourself

Take note that it is impossible to inspire others as long as you do not have the right level of self-esteem and self-confidence. Because of this, you have to begin believing yourself at all times. Try to recognize all your best qualities so that it will be easier for you to lift yourself. Once this happens, you will experience convenience in inspiring others.

One of the most important elements of effective leadership is the ability to demonstrate what you are trying to grow within others. Most of us respond best to those who lead by example and who guide from beside us rather than in front. — Teyhou Smyth Ph.D., LMFT

Have Pure Intentions

There are tons of reasons for extending help to those who need it the most. If you want to inspire others, be sure that you do not have any selfish intention at all. The best and ideal thing to do is to see to it that you will have pure intentions in whatever you do. Otherwise, people will see you as a liar. When this happens, they will stop looking up to you and considering you as an inspiration.

Knowing that you are a part of the reason why someone else’s life is just a little bit better creates a sense of accomplishment. — Barbara R. Edwards, MD, MPH

Share Your Story

Another interesting way to inspire others is to be honest in sharing your story with them. Choose a part of your life that you want other people to learn about. Let them know how that experience helped you to become a better version of yourself. If you do this right, there is a tendency that they will begin to get a lesson from what you have shared. Be sure that you will never make up a story that did not take place in your life. Always see to it that you know what you are talking about as others may start to see that you are just feeding them with bullshit.

Practicing good mental health means not exposing yourself to the horrifying details. Still, it’s disconcerting when it’s hard to imagine that you—or anyone else—could ever be able to pick up the pieces when life is shattered by such tragedy. — Deborah L. Davis Ph.D.

Inspiring others may be complicated in the beginning. However, if you become consistent in doing it, everything will become more convenient on your part.

 

Depending on where they settle, after an initial honeymoon period many refugees instead encounter anti-immigrant hostility and streets covered in snow. — Lisa Aronson Fontes Ph.D.

As a blessed person who has fewer problems on her plate, you need to find a way to help other people. As much as possible, dedicate yourself to reaching out to those who are deeply wounded, emotionally, and physically. One of the sectors that you can help is for the refugees. These individuals are considered as victims of war crimes. They are forced to vacate or leave their countries because of various reasons. As such, you can expect them to be extremely depressed and problematic.

For today’s article, we are going to provide you with a list of things to remember so that you can deal with them correctly. Take note that the way you deal with them will reflect who you are as a person. At the same time, it is also significant to know how to offer your help to them so that you will not end up offending them. Here are the top things to remember:

Learn About Their Stories

Before you introduce yourself to the refugees, be sure that you know who they are and where they came from. As much as possible, make an effort to learn more about their stories so that you will know how to relate with them properly. Failure to do this can give rise to many problems because you may end up offending them. At the same time, you will also see or encounter troubles in showing them your real intentions.

Their trauma is a result of not only the experiences at home, but also of what they went through during their flight. — Marianna Pogosyan Ph.D.

Ask Questions From Others

If there are things that are unclear on your part, be sure that you will talk to the other volunteers who are helping the refugees. Never assume anything as it can lead to a bad thing. Instead, make an effort to also connect with the other people in your team. Do not hesitate to ask questions or clarifications about the lives of the refugees or how to do things right. Be open to receiving new information so that you can become better at helping the war victims. 

Avoid Racism

Since you are trying to volunteer in helping the refugees, then it is safe to say that you are not a racist. However, whether you admit it to yourself or not, there are times when you can be careless with your words and actions. Even if you do not have the intention of being a racist, you may say or do something that shows otherwise. As such, make an effort to be mindful of your actions and words to ensure that you will not hurt the refugees.

People who engage in more meaningful conversations, rather than small talk, have a greater sense of well-being. But small talk may be the path to having those deeper conversations. — Karyn Hall, PhD

Conclusion

Refugees belong to the set of people who are considered as underprivileged. They are the ones who have suffered from the hands of oppressors. They need you to provide them with the right amount of help or support. Do not give up on reaching out to the refugees because they need you the most. Try to be patient in dealing with them, especially at times when they reject your help. The best thing to do is to understand their situation so that you can help them better.

There are many great, essential things that you have to keep in mind if you want to help refugees. Take note that these individuals have gone through horrible things and experiences. As such, they may have different reactions to everything that they encounter. Even if your intentions are 100% pure, they may interpret what you do negatively. At the same time, they may also become unaware of how to receive help.

PTSD is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. The condition may include flashbacks — reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating; bad dreams, and frightening thoughts. — Rick Nauert PhD

Because of all this, it is right to say that the task of comforting refugees is a challenging thing that you have to remember. Always keep in mind that extending your helping hands to these people will require more patience and diligence on your part. Despite the struggles that you encounter, be sure that you will never give up on them. Here are the things that you must do:

Slow Down

The first thing to take note of is the necessity to slow down when it comes to presenting yourself to them. Do not expect them to receive your assistance right away. Instead, find a way to approach them in the right manner. As much as possible, do not be aggressive in pushing yourself to the refugees. Give them time to see that you are truly and genuinely interested in helping them.

Most deal with the discrepancy of their expectations towards the host country not matching their new realities. Then there is the lacking trust: towards the foreign therapists, or the native interpreters. — Marianna Pogosyan Ph.D.

Use The Right Words

Another tip to remember is the significance of choosing your words wisely. Learn how to think twice before you will open your mouth. Otherwise, there is a high tendency that you will end up offending the other person. When this happens, you will do more harm to them than good. As a result, they will feel more oppressed because you were careless of your words.

Volunteer With Others

Make sure that you will also find time to connect with other volunteers who want to focus on helping refugees. Take note that the more people you have on the team, the bigger help you can provide to the war victims. It is best to find existing organizations that are dedicated to providing assistance to those who are in need. Do not hesitate to contact the volunteers from these organizations and inform them about your interest in helping.

All too often they were deprived of the opportunity to say “goodbye,” as people vanished from one day to the next, removed by warring factions, authorities, wild beasts, or natural disasters. — Lisa Aronson Fontes Ph.D.

Make Them Feel Loved

Aside from the medical and food supplies that the refugees need, you must also make an effort to provide them acceptance. Let them feel that you are interested in loving them. Do not make a mistake of showing these people that you are helping them because you want to feel good. Instead, prove to them that you are willing to do whatever it takes to express your love to them. When this happens, their morale will improve.

Conclusion

Helping and comforting others will never become an easy task on your first try. There will be tons of challenges that you may need to deal with along the way. However, once you do it regularly, it will become part of your system. If this happens, everything will start to become a lot easier and more satisfying than ever. Make sure to never give up on the war victims or refugees.  

Did you know that one of the things that you must always take into consideration is the necessity to offer your help and support to others? Once you do this, you will start to live a fulfilling life to the point that you will feel happier than ever. Indeed, there are tons of benefits when you make an effort to reach out to people who need your support.

 For today’s article, we are going to talk about beauty in helping other people. Our main goal is to encourage everyone to become more willing to sharing your time and effort with those who need it. Below are the top reasons why you have to start extending your helping arms to everyone around you:

Enduring terrible trauma is unimaginable yes, but take heart. Like all humans, you hold an innate ability to survive, prevail, and even thrive following trauma, tragedy, or tribulation. — Deborah L. Davis Ph.D.

Give Hope For Free

Are you aware that many people are no longer interested in living their lives because of the hardships that they are going through? These are the individuals who have reached their limits in dealing with the struggles that they encounter. Fortunately, there is a way to change how they feel, and that is to extend your help to them. With one word or action, you can already give them hope. Once this happens, they will become more motivated to continue living their lives. In a way, you are trying to keep them away from hurting themselves.

Be a leader who encourages growth through vulnerability. Show your own vulnerability and express a few of your own challenges; show them how it’s done. Literally. — Teyhou Smyth Ph.D., LMFT

Inspire One Another

Another beauty of helping other people is that you can start to develop or create a culture of kindness around the community. Take note that the persons who receive your help or support will also be inspired to do the same thing to other individuals. If you show others that they have to help without expecting in return, there is a high tendency that they will also work hard to give back to others. Because of this, you should continue to show consistency in extending your helping hands to the right people.

It Gives You Purpose

There are times in your life when you may also feel lost and discouraged because of your personal problems. Oftentimes, you may end up realizing that you no longer have an idea of how to live your life. An excellent way to change how you feel is to help other people. When you do this right, you will begin to see that you have a deeper and more meaningful purpose in this life. As a result, you will also find more reasons to continue living your life to the fullest. You are helping yourself to become more interested to get on with your days.

“Compassion,” says author Marc Barasch, “is resonating concern and an ability to see and respond to the connection between everyone and everything.” — Cedar Barstow, MEd, CHT

Conclusion

Make sure that you find time to extend support and help to those who need it badly. Do not be too selfish by prioritizing yourself at all times. Instead, try to share what you have to those who are underprivileged in this life. Always take note that the more you offer help to those surrounding you, the more you get the benefits mentioned above. You must help out of the goodness of your kind heart and soul.    

In today’s global crisis, millions of people are getting displaced from their homes. The numbers of individuals getting affected by violence continue to grow every day. With this particular incident, certain countries around the globe gather together to respond to the needs of these less fortunate people who get sent away from their homes and lands. And in line with the world health organization’s duty, the aim to accommodate refugees is a must. Medical professionals like psychiatrists, psychologists, and other healthcare assistants are in full force to carry out support for the refugees and their mental health.

Some children were permanently physically injured during their escape, as they bounded off cars and trains or were mauled by animals. Refugee children have also lost the normal childhood sense of safety, and this can prove extremely difficult to rebuild. — Lisa Aronson Fontes Ph.D.

What Happens To The Refugee Exactly

While there are tons of political issues and controversies accompanying the acceptance of refugees in different countries across the world, no one seems to bother focusing on these people’s mental health. Yes, some of these individuals are more likely aware that these refugees appear exposed to hardships, such as violence in war. However, what a lot of them do not try to understand is the help the refugees need in assisting their psychological scars. Truthfully, everything about them does not only stand on physical needs. There is more to it than the eye can see.

In social situations, refugees may seem to appear in good physical condition even though they already suffered from severe physiological stress. That is perhaps why a lot of people often do not realize that what these refugees experienced has already impacted their psychological aspects. There are tendencies that even if these less fortunate individuals may look okay, their mental well-being is on the verge of a chaotic function. With that, it will be too late to recognize the need for assisting such mental health problems, which includes post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.

Some try coping by suppressing their memories. Others fall into avoidance patterns, only to add more layers to the scope of their conditions. — Marianna Pogosyan Ph.D.

Refugees’ Mental Health

Refugees’ mental health problems often arise in three particular stages. There is pre-migration, migration, and post-migration. During the period of these people’s pre-migration, there is an imbalance mental and emotional state. That is because refugees are on the deciding factor of leaving their existing social support system behind. The emotional trauma arises because unfortunate instances such as natural disaster, war, and violence, or other traumatic events in life are causing them to leave their lands and homes in exchange of choosing their safety.

Meanwhile, on the migration stage, the process is entirely long and arduous. That is because the refugees facing poor living conditions or suffering from war and violence get separated from their families and friends. There is a constant emotional and mental battle going on because these individuals are clueless as to when and where they can get reunited with their loved ones. As a result, these refugees do not often realize how important it is for them to stay emotionally, physically, and mentally healthy.

The post-migration, on the other hand, caters the most complicated stage of the refugees’ mental health. It includes many different factors that cause both emotional and psychological problems. Usually, one of the issues that relate to the severity of the situation is the struggle of adapting to a new cultural and social environment. That includes accepting different cultural practices, trying to understand cultural norms, learning a new language, and so on. And the most inflicting reasons for having post-migration mental health problems is the battle for racism on refugees. That is especially when these less fortunate people are trying to access healthcare.

When working with refugees, it’s easy and natural to attribute their distress to whatever war they’ve recently escaped from. — Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D.

Aside from the issues of racism and discrimination, many refugees also struggle in obtaining shelter, employment, and education. That is the leading cause of their inability to cope with mental health illnesses. And as a result of these damaging factors, the outcome of a stabilized mental health is deficient in almost all the refugees. That is why a higher percentage of depression and anxiety often leads them to commit suicide.

What matters worse is the access to mental health facilities and services limited to the needs of the refugees. Meaning, it is clear that there is a problem in the way the healthcare system, the government, and the world organizations handle the case. Luckily, there are a few and adequate solutions that can potentially help. There is the training for clinicians to better recognize the social determinants of mental health of the refugees. With that, they can make a positive contribution to mental health awareness in the refugee population. As for other concern individuals, the acceptance, avoidance of racism and discrimination, as well as continued support, would be the essential contribution the public can give.

 

There are nearly 60 million individuals and families who have been forced to leave their homes because of oppression and various conflicts across the world. The painful truth is that half of these individuals are children – children who need shelter, food, and clothing. These are children who have physical, mental, and emotional needs that can be provided by a therapist’s professional skills and by ordinary citizens who are compassionate enough to offer help. They have gone through much depression, health problems, stress, and extreme levels of insecurity and social isolation.

Continue reading The Therapist’s Role In Repairing The Lives Of Refugee Children

A refugee camp is supposed to be a place to help and shelter victims of war or national disputes, but why is it that people within contemplate suicide? Take for instance the European Union and Turkey deal. Migrants were stuck in Moira, Greek Island of Lesvos. With that, the overpopulated island has caused suffering to the migrants (most of them with a family in there) with psychological, mental and physical health problems surfacing. There is not enough assistance to handle these issues.

Continue reading People In Refugee Camps