Refugees International

Description

Refugees International is an advocacy organization working for the rights and protection of people forced to flee conflict, crisis and climate impacts.

Its experts work with partners around the world to investigate the challenges displaced people face, develop policy solutions, mobilize action and hold governments and aid agencies to account. It conducts field missions to identify refugees’ needs for food, water, health care, housing, education and protection from harm, then appeals to policy makers based on its findings. The organization aims to put displaced people themselves at the center of decisions that affect them.

Refugees International does not accept government or United Nations funding, relying instead on individuals, foundations and corporations, so that its advocacy stays independent. It was started in 1979 as a citizens’ movement to defend the rights of people fleeing Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, and later expanded into a globally focused organization. Its current work covers displacement crises in places including Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan and Syria.