Guest Article: Top Jobs for Those Who Want to Help Refugees
Note: this is a special guest article written by Jane Bayer, a writer and blogger who composed this piece for US Together.
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Today, more people are being displaced from their homes due to a variety of causes like the climate crisis, poverty, war, and persecution. According to the UNHCR, the global refugee crisis has swelled to 83.9 million worldwide forcibly displaced by June 2022. Despite this growing need for resettlement, the number of refugees admitted to the US has consistently declined for decades. Although the country has adequate resources to host refugees, developing countries host far greater numbers of displaced people relative to their population. Still, although recent decades have seen the decline of the US resettlement program, the Biden administration is working on undoing the damages caused by previous administrations.
National agencies like the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) are pivotal in these processes. The PRM is responsible for formulating sustainable solutions for refugees through repatriation, resettlement, and integration efforts in the country. The ORR, on the other hand, provides resources and assistance to help refugees build a life in the United States. Resettlement agencies are also integral in offering aid as they broaden the reach of aid and are able to focus on individual clients. We at US Together serve the refugee and immigrant population by partnering with groups, organizations, and corporations dedicated to doing the same.
While the bulk of the work must come from larger government and non-government agencies, individuals can also contribute to these crises. The main way you can do so is by pursuing a career path that can help you work with these national associations and resettlement agencies — whether directly or indirectly. Here are some jobs you can consider if you want to help refugees.
Humanitarian Aid Worker
Becoming a humanitarian aid worker is one of the best and most direct ways you can get involved in helping refugees. Humanitarian aid refers to the assistance provided to relieve suffering in emergency situations. Many of these workers are trained to be familiar with cultural nuances and stay calm in stressful or dangerous situations. Those who pursue a career in humanitarian aid will help provide aid and address hunger, poverty, and gender equality. They supply urgent and life-saving support such as food, water, shelter, sanitation and hygiene, emergency healthcare, and transportation, which are all issues which may arise over a refugee's journey to safety. Humanitarian aid workers may connect refugees to resettlement agencies or national associations that provide sustainable solutions and critical resources.
Case Manager
The reception and placement period can be difficult to navigate for refugees. Case managers often work for resettlement agencies. Here, they help their clients navigate complex immigration requirements and social security processes. They also provide basic necessities like health screenings, medical care, school enrollment, and shelter. Since refugees are suddenly immersed in unfamiliar environments, case managers help them set expectations and discuss cultural orientation topics. This job is usually taken on by those with educational backgrounds in social work. But since it requires deep knowledge of politics and the interaction between countries, it’s not uncommon for international studies majors to be case managers as well.
Education Program Manager
Displaced people, especially children, lose access to education. They may also feel estranged from their environment at any stage of the resettlement process due to language barriers and cultural differences. Education program managers are responsible for organizing classrooms and teaching facilities for students. They often work with organizations to develop and implement teaching and mentoring programs and supervise staff to ensure compliance with program requirements. Education program managers may also focus on providing counseling and mental health resources, which are critical to addressing issues in any community. They usually have degrees in humanitarian aid, international development, or education. Such training allows them to cultivate a safe space in schools for refugees.
Housing stability expert
It’s difficult enough to find affordable housing for American citizens, let alone refugees in the middle of the resettlement process with few possessions to their name. Beyond financial difficulty, they may also find a challenge in processing — and discrimination in the housing market. Housing stability experts work with resettlement agencies to provide housing solutions to immigrants. They adhere to Federal and State guidelines and connect refugees with housing programs and services. They may also provide emergency rental assistance to newly-arrived clients.
Research Associate
Humanitarian issues like refugee crises are complex and require a deeper understanding to be addressed at the policy level. Institutions like universities, think tanks, government and international agencies, NGOs, and nonprofits contribute by conducting research on these matters. Research associates equipped with quantitative and qualitative research skills can lend their expertise to these efforts. They can assist principal researchers in studying the root causes of the refugee crises and the lived experiences of the displaced. Their findings can also be used by stakeholders outside the organization. Here, they can be used to guide the formulation and implementation of refugee aid.
It’s difficult to comprehend the full depth of the refugee experience. Although there will always be a gap in our understanding, individuals can nevertheless offer their assistance to those in need by exercising their expertise.
Article by: Jane Bayer
Written for: https://www.ustogether.us