“But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.” Psalm 9:18
At HOPE International, we want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a world in need of His love, and we are glad we’re not alone in this mission. This Giving Tuesday, we’d like to shine a spotlight on five organizations working to bring hope and healing to refugees and displaced communities around the world.
In the past ten years, the number of refugees around the world has doubled to nearly 21 million. From Syria to Venezuela, Afghanistan, Yemen, and so many other parts of the world, people have made the difficult choice to leave their homes in pursuit of safety.
1. World Relief (U.S.)
Photo courtesy of World Relief
Where: United States
What they do: Motivated by Christian faith, World Relief is on a mission to empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable, including refugees and immigrants. Through local partners, World Relief provides emergency aid to families living in shelters, and comes alongside refugees as they rebuild their lives in the U.S., helping them to find housing, learn English, and establish a support system.
What we love about them: We love how central the Church is in World Relief’s work. Not only are they helping refugees move from dependence to sustainability and dignity, they’re also equipping the body of Christ to serve in tangible ways to transform thousands of lives.
Learn more about World Relief and support their mission to bring sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems.
2. Heart for Lebanon
Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon
Where: Lebanon
What they do: Did you know that Lebanon hosts the most refugees per capita of any country in the world? Heart for Lebanon is showing up to this challenge with targeted ministry programs that “lead people from despair to hope.” They provide vulnerable refugee families with humanitarian aid, as well as spiritual formation programs and educational opportunities for children.
What we love about them: In addition to meeting many of the immediate material needs of those in their community, Heart for Lebanon is helping people to discover eternal hope in Jesus through Bible studies and worship gatherings.
Learn more about Heart for Lebanon and support their mission to raise up new communities of faith in the Middle East.
3. Amplio Recruiting
Photo courtesy of Amplio Recruiting
Where: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Raleigh-Durham
What they do: Many refugees living in the United States have completed higher education and have professional experience, but they are largely underrepresented in the job marketplace. Amplio is a staffing agency (not technically a nonprofit like the rest of this list) that connects companies with employees from the refugee workforce. They know from their work that when refugees find employment, they are loyal and committed, meaning companies will see a dramatic decrease in turnover.
After nearly five years in business, Amplio is more convinced than ever that hiring refugees is not only a socially responsible decision, but it’s also a profitable one.
What we love about them: At HOPE International, we understand that meaningful work is a part of God’s original design for humanity. We love the way Amplio is connecting refugees to dignifying work and providing a way for them to provide for themselves and their families. (And their founder and CEO, Chris Chancey, is a former HOPE staff member!)
Learn more about Amplio and their mission to connect companies with employees from the refugee workforce.
4. Seed Effect
Photo courtesy of Seed Effect
Where: Uganda
What they do: Seed Effect is a Christ-centered economic development organization, bringing hope and opportunity to South Sudanese refugees and Ugandans. With their savings-led microfinance program, they are helping refugees and those living in material poverty know Jesus and provide for their families with dignity.
What we love about them: Seed Effect is the newest partner in the HOPE global network! This partner is firmly committed to showing up and bringing economic empowerment to the hard places. And, most importantly, they share the Christ-centered DNA of our HOPE family. Their holistic approach provides those in vulnerable situations a pathway to find not just refuge but restoration.
Lean more about Seed Effect and support their mission to bring hope to refugees and people living in material poverty.
5. International Assistance Mission
Photo courtesy of International Assistance Mission
Where: Afghanistan
What they do: International Assistance Mission (IAM) believes that the people of Afghanistan have the ability to build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future. They serve several groups, including those displaced internally from conflict, through agricultural trainings, clean water interventions, community leadership development, and other projects.
What we love about them: Even during this time of recent instability and uncertainty, IAM is motivated by a belief that “every human being has the same God-given value, and therefore deserves our love and care.” This conviction is allowing IAM to show up and respond to the problem of poverty and injustice in Afghanistan in a powerful way—while maintaining a holistic approach that ultimately equips communities their own basic needs.
Learn more about IAM and their mission to bring hope and transformation to the people of Afghanistan.
We celebrate the way the light of Christ is exemplified through these five organizations and hope you might learn more and get connected to their great work!
![Before Eveness Mulungu joined the Walusungu (“mercy”) savings group through our church partner in Malawi, she faced days where she and her family ate animal feed because they couldn’t afford human food. But that changed when she joined the savings group. Eveness used her first group loan of about $1.70 (U.S.) to start a business selling doughnuts and beans.
“By the end of my first cycle I made $140 (U.S.),” Eveness shared. “My life is no longer the same now; [I] was regarded as no one in the community. ... This was the first time in my life that I ever touched and owned big money like this!”
Pictured: Eveness, with her husband in front of their piggery—a third successful business that she operates.](https://blog.hopeinternational.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Oh my goodness! What a tremendous blessing this is to me! Thank you so very much for this information. I do love the Hope International organization. It absolutely makes me emotional.
Thank you so much for sharing this curated list! I’m always looking for new places to invest in the Kingdom and appreciate having an organization I trust (y’all!) sharing recommendations.