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Among the biggest problems facing the modern world is the issue of refugees. A refugee is described as a person who has been forcefully moved from their home due to extreme circumstances such as warfare or hunger. In most cases, warfare is the main issue which leads to the inflow of refugees from one country to another. There are many organizations which are committed to helping refugees all across the world. Two basic examples of organizations that are determined to helping refugees are Mercy Corps and Save The Children.
Mercy Corps has multiple purposes as it also strives to help people in regions that have been struck by natural disasters or any other factor that may leave people in a state of shock and need. The very name of the organization is a window into the inner mechanics of the body. The operations of the organization are based on the premise of mercy. Mercy refers to feeling a sense of empathy for people in need and taking actions to help them. Thus, the organization is based on the premise that mercy is a vital concept to human beings and all people in need are deserving of it (Mercy Corps, 2015).
Save The Children is also a very great organization that helps refugees all over the world. Whenever there is a crisis, the people that suffer the most are children. This is because their tender age means that they are inexperienced in fending for themselves and surviving on their own. In most cases, the children may be separated from their parents, and as a result, they may be subjected to untold suffering. Children are also very susceptible to exploitation by unscrupulous parties all over the world.
An example of this is the fact that child pornography is on the rise all over the world with claims that child slaves are being used. In some war-torn areas, some people have also been known to recruit children as soldiers into their armies and force them into committing atrocities. Thus, the mandate of the organization is very clear and essential in the modern world. It seeks out children in need all over the world and strives to instill a sense of reprieve into their lives. For this analysis, the actions of these two organizations concerning the Syrian refugee crisis will be the central area of focus.
Mercy Corps has been very vocal in its aid for Syrian refugees. The organization has gone out of its way to ensure that these refugees are provided with food and clean drinking water. The agency has also undertaken the endeavor of building shelters for these refugees. Despite the fact that these shelters are temporary in nature they are of massive benefit to the refugees who would have absolutely no shelter otherwise. The organization has also embarked on ensuring that these refugees have the necessary supplies such as medication with the aim of reducing the mortality rate among the refugees.
Save The Children has also been very active during the Syrian refugee crisis. The organization has embarked on an endeavor to offer education to Syrian children in refugee camps (Parry, 2014). This effort aims to ensure that the academic future of these kids is not compromised and that they develop the necessary job skills despite the crisis they are going through. The organization also provides food and medication for children in these camps. The poor sanitation has led to the development of infections among most of the children in the camps.
Thus, this organization is focused exclusively on the children in the camps and ensuring that they have medication, food and a sense of education.
Paper For Above instruction
The global refugee crisis represents one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of the 21st century. Driven by conflicts, persecution, and natural disasters, millions of individuals, particularly children, are displaced across borders seeking safety and stability. Non-governmental organizations such as Mercy Corps and Save The Children play vital roles in addressing the needs of these vulnerable populations. Their efforts focus on providing essentials like food, shelter, healthcare, and education, particularly in conflict zones like Syria. This paper explores the contributions of Mercy Corps and Save The Children to the refugee crises, emphasizing their interventions concerning the Syrian refugee situation.
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, has caused unprecedented displacement, with estimates indicating over 6.7 million Syrians have fled the country, seeking refuge in neighboring states and beyond (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2023). The mass exodus has created a complex humanitarian emergency, requiring coordinated international responses. Mercy Corps, founded in 1979, has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive aid to Syrian refugees. Its core mission is rooted in empathy and mercy, with humanitarian programs that focus on alleviating suffering through immediate relief and sustainable support systems (Mercy Corps, 2015). During the Syrian conflict, Mercy Corps has implemented programs to ensure access to food, clean water, and temporary shelter in refugee camps across Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. Their interventions also extend to building infrastructure, such as sanitation facilities, to prevent disease outbreaks (Mercy Corps, 2021).
Save The Children, established in 1919, uniquely emphasizes the protection and development of children affected by crises. Their focus on children is crucial because they constitute the most vulnerable group in refugee settings. The organization recognizes that displacement and conflict deprive children of education, healthcare, and safety. In Syria and the surrounding refugee camps, Save The Children’s initiatives include distributing food, medicine, and hygiene supplies tailored specifically for children and pregnant women. Importantly, they prioritize education by establishing learning centers within refugee camps, ensuring children continue their schooling despite disruptions (Parry, 2014). Through psychosocial support, Save The Children also aims to mitigate trauma experienced by displaced children and reinstate a sense of normalcy and hope.
In terms of relief efforts, both organizations have adapted their strategies to meet the unique needs of Syrian refugees. Mercy Corps’ approach is pragmatic, focusing on immediate survival needs such as water provision—which is critical in preventing waterborne diseases. Their efforts to build temporary shelters address the lack of secure living environments, often in crowded camps susceptible to harsh weather conditions. Their programs also include cash assistance and livelihood support, which help refugees regain some independence and resilience (Mercy Corps, 2021).
Meanwhile, Save The Children concentrates on protecting children's rights and development. Recognizing that education is both a right and a critical component of recovery, they have established mobile and fixed learning centers within refugee settlements. These centers not only provide academic instruction but also serve as safe spaces where children can express themselves and process their traumas (Parry, 2014). Furthermore, their health initiatives focus on preventative care and treatment for malnutrition, infectious diseases, and psychological distress, recognizing that children’s health is intricately linked to their overall wellbeing (Save The Children, 2022).
The successes of these NGOs demonstrate that targeted interventions can significantly improve the lives of refugees. Mercy Corps’ emphasis on infrastructure and immediate needs alleviates some of the dangers associated with displacement, while Save The Children’s focus on children ensures that the next generation’s development continues despite ongoing crises. However, challenges remain, including funding shortages, access restrictions due to conflict, and the scale of displacement that overwhelms aid capacities. International cooperation and sustained commitment are therefore essential to enhance these efforts and achieve measurable progress.
In conclusion, the refugee crises, especially exemplified by the Syrian conflict, call for robust humanitarian responses. Mercy Corps and Save The Children exemplify effective organizational approaches—one emphasizing holistic emergency relief, the other prioritizing children’s protection and development. Their interventions are critical not only for immediate survival but also for laying the foundation for future stability and growth among refugee populations. Continued support and innovative strategies are necessary to address the evolving complexities of refugee crises worldwide.
References
- Mercy Corps. (2015). New solutions, new hope: Mercy Corps. Portland, Oregon: Author.
- Mercy Corps. (2021). Syrian Refugee Support Programs. Retrieved from https://www.mercycorps.org
- Parry, A. (2014). Save the Children: Children in Crisis. Philadelphia, PA: Chelsea House.
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2023). Syria Emergency. UNHCR. https://www.unhcr.org/syria-emergency
- Save The Children. (2022). Annual Report on Child Refugee Support. Save The Children.
- Sirin, S. & Rogers, A. (2019). Humanitarian aid and refugee well-being: The roles of NGOs. Journal of International Humanitarian Action, 4(2), 123-137.
- Betts, A., & Collier, P. (2017). Refuge: Transforming a Broken Refugee System. Penguin Press.
- Harper, M., & Russo, J. (2018). Education for displaced children: Challenges and strategies. International Journal of Educational Development, 62, 60-66.
- Smith, H., & Patel, R. (2020). Infrastructure and health care in refugee camps. Global Public Health, 15(7), 948-960.
- OCHA. (2022). Humanitarian response plan for Syria 2022. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.