Three years ago this month, we experienced collective anguish at an image of a toddler, face down on a sandy beach in Turkey. His picture was picked up by news outlets around the world. A Syrian refugee, his name we later learned was Aylan Kurdi. He was three-year-old.

There are untold numbers of Aylan Kurdi’s in our world and although his story prompted an enormous outpouring of activism and donations to aid organizations working with refugees, the story eventually faded, to be replaced by the next breaking news story.

However, we are still facing an unprecedented refugee crisis. According to the United Nations’ latest Global Trends report, 31 people are newly displaced every minute of every day. The cumulative number of people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes as a result of war, conflict, and natural disasters now stands at 68.5 million. Of these, 25.4 million people are technically classified as refugees, having crossed at least one international border while seeking safety.

Women and children, who make up the majority of those displaced, face some of the greatest risks. Sexual exploitation and violence are widespread. In addition, the unique health needs of women and adolescent girls often go unmet – from reproductive healthcare to basic access to things like sanitary napkins. Children and adolescents who become refugees also fall behind on their education, as displacement can keep them from regularly attending school for years, and setting them up for a lifetime of poverty.

At Global Washington, we support the global development community and are committed to shining a light on urgent issues that demand our sustained attention and collective action. A number of Global Washington member organizations are aiding refugees in our communities and around the world. They are addressing the root causes of why people are fleeing and giving urgent aid to those in crisis. Read more about a partnership between two non-profits, Spreeha and Extend the Day, who are supporting Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Also learn about the International Refugee Committee’s work to resettle refugees in the Puget Sound region. And finally, you can read our spotlight of Chitra Hanstad, a social justice leader from World Relief Seattle.

How You Can Help
  • Learn more by reading Global Washington issue briefs about the refugee crisis and find a list of non-profit organizations in Washington state aiding refugees worldwide.
  • Find your passion, learn more about other global development topics, and get involved. Our interactive member map allows a country-specific and issue-specific exploration of who’s doing what, where. If you find an organization that you want to know more about, let us know!
  • We also host events in Seattle throughout the year.