Photo by RET

Article by Ben Dwork, Global Communications Officer for RET International

Refugees Are Not the Crisis—They Are Survivors of It

No one becomes a refugee by choice.

People flee their homes because they are forced to—by war, political collapse, corruption, persecution, or natural disaster. They leave behind families, careers, schools, homes, and identities not because they want to, but because staying has become impossible.

On this World Refugee Day, RET International reaffirms what we’ve learned over 25 years in the field: Refugees are not the crisis. They are people caught in crisis—mothers, fathers, students, teachers, and leaders. Their dreams are not gone, only paused. Their potential is not lost, only disrupted.

When we recognize their humanity, we realize this truth: We could be them. But we are also in a position to offer them help in their darkest hours.

A Legacy of Long-Term Commitment—and Responsible Transition

Since our founding in 2000 in post-Taliban Afghanistan, we have worked in some of the most complex and fragile settings, from Pakistan and South Sudan to Burundi and beyond.

We don’t show up for a photo op. We stay through the hard work of rebuilding—often for years—partnering with communities and local organizations to strengthen education, protection, and individuals’ capacity to make their own way in the world. But we also know our presence should not be permanent.

We also ensure that we approach all projects with an exit strategy in mind: investing in local NGOs, mentoring national staff, and strengthening community systems so that when we leave, the people we served are stronger, not dependent. Our goal is not to stay forever but rather to eliminate dependency and ensure communities can stand on their own. But what exactly does this look like in practice?

Mbera Camp: One of Many, But No Less Important

In Mbera refugee camp in Mauritania, tens of thousands of Malians have sought safety from conflict. While the world’s attention has shifted elsewhere, Mbera continues to grow, often beyond what local systems can sustain.

We have been working in Mbera since 2019 to ensure that even in this remote, under-reported setting, education, psychosocial support, and protection are available to youth and families. We help train teachers, provide safe spaces, and give young people tools to process trauma and build hope.

It may not make headlines, but the impact in Mbera is real, classroom by classroom, life by life.

Displacement in Cities: A New Reality for Latin America

But not all refugees live in camps. Across Latin America, millions of people fleeing Venezuela have landed in cities like Quito, Lima, and Panama City, where displacement is often less visible and more complex to address.

They live among the population, often without legal status, access to education, or stable shelter and ability to make ends meet financially. That’s where our approach matters most.

In Peru and Ecuador, we support thousands of refugee and migrant youth, helping them access national education systems, overcome trauma, and prepare for the future. Working with Education Cannot Wait, we’re ensuring that education becomes a tool of protection, especially for girls and adolescents.

As our founder the late Mrs. Sadako Ogata, once said: “Education should be a promise, not a dream.”

Türkiye: When Refugees Return Home with Strength

One of the most powerful milestones in our 25-year journey is unfolding now in Türkiye. After years of supporting both Syrian refugees and Turkish host communities, we are seeing the moment we always hope for: voluntary return.

As the Syrian civil war has finally given way to a new chapter, many refugees are choosing to go home. But they are not returning empty-handed.

Through RET’s programs in Türkiye—including vocational training, livelihoods support, and psychosocial care—these individuals are returning with skills, confidence, and renewed purpose. They are ready not only to rebuild their own lives, but to contribute to the reconstruction of their communities.

One participant, Latife, put it best: “I am grabbing my life with both hands.”

This is what humanitarian support should aim for: Not dependency, but dignified, empowered return. And this is what we aim for: Resilience, Empowerment, and Transformation. This is what RET has come to mean over the last quarter century.

Hope Is a Human Right

Over 25 years, we’ve stood with refugees and displaced communities in over 30 countries. We’ve seen what happens when they are given a chance to rebuild: They lead, they grow, they thrive.

World Refugee Day is not just a time to reflect. It’s a call to action.

It reminds us that refugees are not a burden. They are a source of strength, resilience, and hope. They are neighbors we haven’t met yet. And by standing with them, we build a future where none of us have to flee, and all of us have a place to belong.

Refugees are not the problem; they are part of the solution. And when we stand with them, we build a world where none of us have to flee, and all of us can belong.

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