World Refugee Day
More than 100 million people worldwide have been forced to flee conflict, violence, and persecution. Samaritan’s Purse is helping the frightened and suffering across the globe.
It can happen so suddenly.
Amid gunfire during the early morning hours in a sleeping Sudanese village. Under threat of tanks and bombardments, watching missile strikes level homes in Kyiv. Escaping the terror of Taliban rule as families witness their dreams go up in dust from a Kabul airfield.
There are countless stories of women and children running for their lives with little more than the clothes on their backs—not sure if they'll ever be able to return home again.
“Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” Deuteronomy 10:19
For more than five decades, Samaritan's Purse has rushed relief in Jesus' Name to hurting people like these. We want refugees and other displaced people to be reminded of God's love for them and that He has not forgotten them.
Right now, Samaritan's Purse is assisting displaced people from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Sudan, among other nations.
Nina from Ukraine
More than 6 million people have fled Ukraine as refugees this year, with millions more displaced inside their homeland.
Many Ukrainians have faced unspeakable tragedy and uncertainty since the conflict began in late February.
Nina* was one of those displaced as Kyiv, the capital, was bombarded. For 12 days, she was forced to shelter underground, where the strain of evacuation eventually began taking its toll. Then she was robbed in the middle of the night.
In desperation, Nina had to flee once more, eventually arriving in the western city of Lviv. She was very ill and emotionally distraught. She knew if she didn't see a doctor soon, things could only get worse. She managed to make it to our Emergency Field Hospital and was immediately admitted for critical care and emergency surgery.
Serving the Displaced: World Refugee Day 2022
Following her surgery, Nina was able to smile. She felt loved and celebrated by our medical staff as they cared for her and even sang birthday wishes to her.
“If Samaritan’s Purse hadn’t helped me, I don’t know if I would be alive. Now I feel safe.” *Nina
Through expert medical care, food distributions in partnership with local churches, clean water systems, and much more, Samaritan's Purse teams are reminding these families that God has not forgotten them.
Our offices around the world have also been actively involved in supporting local churches and transporting refugees from the Ukrainian border to Christian centers in other countries where they are able to receive shelter, food, and spiritual care.
Through our medical clinics and other relief programs, we are assisting many displaced families in Ukraine.
Aneeza from Sudan
“It was 3 a.m. when we ran out of our home with nothing but the clothes on our body,” Aneeza
She watched in horror as her husband was murdered in front of their house in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. The only thing she could think to do was grab the children and run. They finally made it to Ajuong Thok refugee camp in neighboring South Sudan—all except for her son, Yaconda. He disappeared in the chaos. "I don't know where he is. I can still hear his voice sometimes."
Aneeza has continued trusting God and relying on His faithfulness during her times of suffering.
Aneeza eventually found refuge in Ajuong Thok, a camp where Samaritan's Purse has played a vital role in distributing food and other supplies to suffering families. Because she fled there, she heard the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and now is a part of bringing that spiritual light to other families.
Aneeza today leads the children’s ministry in the church she attends in the camp.
Aneeza and her family are grateful for the help they have received from Samaritan's Purse.
“Children are important to Jesus. Our children today have no reference of hope. But this is where the church can step in and help them grow in faith, and teach them right decision- making,” Aneeza
She is also a leader in the Church-Based Discipleship Initiative run by Samaritan’s Purse. She and other growing Christians are learning how to use the resources that God has blessed them with to bless their community. The program is helping to build resilience and self-sufficiency in people living in these broken circumstances.
“The women in my congregation now come together to identify people in need in the refugee and host community, and help them,” Aneeza said.
“We all have something to offer. Yes, it will pinch a bit. But together, we can make a difference. I cannot do a lot. But I can do a little, and trust God to use it.” –Aneeza
Rahim* from Afghanistan
When the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan again in August 2021, Rahim* and his family were terrified. They realized they would become targets of the new regime, so they knew they had to flee quickly.
They left for Europe, not knowing what would come next. Then they were flown to the United States where they have been given the opportunity to resettle and begin again.
Samaritan's Purse is helping Afghans who have left their country and are seeking to build new lives in the west.
“They are our teachers, we learn so much from them. It would have been impossible for us to live here without this team.” Rahim*
That’s when they were introduced to Samaritan’s Purse. Through our Afghan Resettlement Program, churches are helping evacuees rebuild their lives, from securing housing and transportation to enrolling children in school to assisting with language skills and navigating a new culture.
Through this program, families like Rahim's are receiving a warm welcome and finally beginning to feel safe again.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
Our teams are helping meet the practical needs of displaced Afghan families while also providing emotional support and encouragement.
Each day, our teams around the world are ministering to thousands of refugees like Nina, Aneeza, and Rahim. Please continue to pray for the millions of refugees and displaced people who’ve had to flee their homes, that they would embrace God’s love for them even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
