Donate to end Dependence for Refugees

Despite ongoing challenges around the world due to conflict and withdrawal of international funding, the projects that REI funds continue to be strong and the communities show reslience in the face of humanitarian pressures.

In the last year, REI funds have provided support to:

• Three addiction treatment cycles in camps on the Thai-Myanmar border, providing services to 79 clients
• Addiction prevention education activities for 1,664 adults, youth and children in Mae La refugee camp
• Home visit program that covered 576 households and reached 3,161 individuals across all age groups in Mae La Refugee Camp.
• Provision of 965 Baby Kits with essential hygiene items benefitting 965 mothers with new-born babies in 7 Districts in Kawthoolei (Karen state) Myanmar
• 91 maternal health awareness raising sessions that reached a total of 9,160 participants in communities in Kawthoolei.
• 110 children aged 4 to 6 in a kindergarten in Wadi Zayne, Lebanon, providing education as well as pyscho-social support.
• 54 young adult refugees studying democracy, human rights, rule of law, non-violent activism for peace, environmental conservation, gender perspective, and language skills.
• 32 refugees in an advanced course studying community organization and mobilization, community project management, international law, social science and report writing and presentation.
• 40 urban refugee youth and women who started a program that covers business skills training, financial literacy and language training, along with raising awareness of opportunities for skills development and livelihood enhancement.

In line with the REI mission, the projects are run by the refugee community as they know what is really needed. The refugee staff bring trust and personal experience to the activities ensuring they are culturally appropriate and impactful in the long term.

The project teams continue to demonstrate resilience despite declining global financial support. Even with reduced resources, teams remain committed to achieving impactful outcomes.

As our funding is for community-based programs that align with local cultures, they remain effective even with limited funding. These initiatives remain strong due to REI’s “hand-up” approach,

Several projects have experienced turnover among trained teams due to resettlement opportunities or forced movement between camps. Those who relocate carry their newly acquired skills with them, benefiting other communities, while ongoing funding enables the training of new leaders to replace them.

The latest group of students at the Karenni Social Development Centre has begun their internships, gaining essential practical experience.

In Nairobi, refugees are commencing a new cycle of business training to prepare for establishing small enterprises that provide income, dignity, and a degree of self-sufficiency.

Addiction treatment programs in camps along the Thai–Myanmar border are reaching an increasing number of people as displacement continues. Feedback from participants highlights the impact of these programs:

“The education provided is very effective for camps and teenagers, guiding them toward a better future. I am satisfied with how the project collaborates with camp leaders to share education in schools.”

“The staff work to the best of their ability. I feel their patience in their daily work. They are the people who have given me a better life.”

Your continued support is invaluable to ensure the projects provide dignity.