Refugee Crisis in the Middle East and Europe Overview

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL Overview of the crisis Displaced People: refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people Estimated 60 million people displaced worldwide Of those, 15 million have fled as refugees into other countries The Syrian war (2011-current) alone has contributed 5 million refugees

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL Overview of the crisis Photo: Emergency Response Coordination Centre ERCC - ECHO Daily Map Refugee Crisis – Western Balkan Route

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL Refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL Overview of the crisis Europe  1 million in official claims  Germany, Hungary, France, Austria, Italy, Sweden with most claims  Refugees vs. individuals in “refugee like conditions”

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL Refugees traveling through Greece Refugees arriving to Mytilini, Lesbos, in Greece. Image: International Rescue Committee Over 1 million refugees crossed the Mediterranean into Greece

Humanitarian efforts Current operations and greatest needs

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL Humanitarian efforts -- Current operations and greatest needs Immediate relief – Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Greece  Opportunities for LCI/LCIF int’l level collaboration with multiple NGOs and relief agencies Long term assistance for refugees hosted in other EU countries  Opportunities for local Lions clubs and district collaboration with national agencies and local Red Cross chapters

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL Immediate Relief Refugee camps and communities in Jordan and Lebanon  Access to water and sanitation, food, hygiene, clothing, medical care and rehabilitation Besieged communities inside Syria  Food, medicine and hygiene products into war torn and hard to access towns Refugee routes / points of entry into Europe in Greece and Turkey  Water, food, medical aid, clothing, temporary shelter to individuals arriving on boats and other mass transit

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL Long-Term A Refugees in European communities  Safety and security of unaccompanied minors  Reconnecting families  Cultural orientation  Social and economic integration through language training and skills to encourage employability  Essential items (other than clothing, shoes, etc.)

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL How to get involved Tips for Lions Clubs and Districts interested in helping refugees:  Replicable and impactful projects – immediate relief / long term need  Collaborate with local government agencies and non-profits to maximize impact  Contact LCI and LCIF for further information about opportunities outside your multiple / single district, and availability of LCIF  Visit LCI website for ideas for project ideas