Crisis Zones, a new Human Rights subsection, is a collaborative project by Harbingers’ writers Helena Bruździak and Kexin Shi, launched in March 2025.

In March, we started a new Human Rights subsection at Harbingers’, called Crisis Zones. In our first article looking at the lives of displaced people around the world, we explained the difference between the terms ‘refugee’, ‘migrant’ and ‘asylum seeker’ as these are often used interchangeably, even though they have different legal meanings.

Here, in the second article, we explore the key problems that refugees and migrants face, the international organisations offering them assistance, and what you can do to help.

Organisations helping migrants

Several international organisations are dedicated to supporting migrants and addressing migration-related challenges. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the leading intergovernmental organisation within the United Nations system, is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration.

Established in 1951, it operates in 172 countries through over 550 field offices, providing services and advice on migration policies and offering direct assistance to migrants, including emergency aid, resettlement, and integration support.

Similarly, UNHCR, the UN’s refugee agency, established in 1950, protects and assists those who have been displaced by persecution and violence. It provide life-saving help and protection during crises and promotes better asylum policies and procedures. UNHCR also identifies long-term solutions so refugees can either start over in a new nation or return home when it is safe to do so.

The world’s largest refugee camps

According to the UNHCR, the five largest refugee camps in the world are situated in Bangladesh, Kenya, Jordan and Sudan.

1. Kutupalong (Bangladesh) shelters more than 931,000 Rohingya refugees who fled ethnic and religious persecution in Myanmar in 2017.
2. Dadaab Refugee Complex (Kenya) consists of three camps, Dagahaley, Hagadera, and Ifo, which house more than 240,000 Somali refugees. Many of them have lived there since birth.
3. Kakuma Refugee Camp (Kenya) was established in 1992 for Sudanese child refugees. It is now home to over 200,000 South Sudanese and Somali refugees.
4. Za’atari Refugee Camp (Jordan) opened in 2012 for Syrians fleeing war, and now hosts more than 83,000 Syrian refugees.
5. Um Rakuba (Sudan) shelters almost 17,000 Ethiopian refugees displaced by the Tigray conflict. Established during the Covid-19 pandemic, the camp struggles with poor sanitation and healthcare.

Problems facing migrants

Refugees and migrants face many and varied challenges throughout their journey and resettlement.

The first main challenge is the lack of legal status. Many struggle to obtain visas, residency or asylum status. Long-winded and slow asylum processes are the next challenge; it can take months or years, depending on the country. Undocumented migrants live in constant fear of deportation, making it harder for them to access services or find work.

Discrimination and social exclusion further add to their struggles, especially for those in informal jobs who are more vulnerable to exploitation and unfair treatment.

What can you do to help?

There are numerous ways to support migrants and refugees, helping them to feel safe and included in their new communities. One of the most impactful ways is by assisting international organisations such as UNICEF, UNHCR, IOM and Save the Children.

On a local level, volunteering at shelters or community centres can make a direct difference in migrants’ and refugees’ lives. Spreading awareness is also important. Whether through talks, articles or social media, educating yourself and others helps challenge misinformation and discrimination. Small gestures, like offering kindness and inclusion, can make a big difference in helping refugees feel welcome and creating a friendlier environment.