YWAM Refugee Circle
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group. In most cases, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries.
Forcibly displaced:
Global Refugees:
By the end of June 2025, more than 117 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations.
This includes:
- refugees in africa 2025
- 42.5 million refugees
- 67.8 million internally displaced people
- 8.4 million asylum seekers
Our Mission
With millions displaced, and many more on the move, the refugee crisis is far from over. YRC’s mission is to mobilize the YWAM family by facilitating teams that want to respond to a harvest that is ready. Our desire is to empower refugees and migrants spiritually, mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically on their journey to safety and a new home.
YWAMers have been serving across the globe!
In 1979 YWAM teams began to minister to the many thousands of refugees from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam – as they were seeking shelter in Thailand. We, as YWAM, learned how to work with governments, international agencies, NGO’s, churches and those countries who were resettling refugees in 3rd countries.
We were drawn to the needs, both physical and spiritual. This work, which formed ‘Mercy Ministries’ continued until the camps were finally closed in 1995. Some of the children that grew up in those camps are now leaders of churches and of YWAM ministries.
Many YWAMers and YWAM locations continue to work with refugees around the world, and in 2015 there came a ‘flood’ of refugees to Europe – from the war in Syria, and from Iran and Afghanistan.
A team – ‘Circle’ – of leaders involved in refugee ministry met several times to find out what was happening – to pray, encourage one another and hear what the needs were. The YWAM Refugee Circle (YRC) was formed from those serving in Europe. We sensed that we should try to encourage, coordinate and mobilise the greater YWAM family to serve refugees. Beginning in 2015, the YRC started organising gatherings to bring encouragement and ministry to field workers as well as highlighting ministry needs and communicating via social media.
Programs
Some of YWAM’s involvement with refugees
1980’s
As Cambodian refugees trickled into Thailand and the atrocities became known, the international community responded. The refugee trickle swelled to a flood of over a million refugees.
Over 700 YWAM staff responded for more than fifteen years. Health services grew to include hospitals, clinics, and health care education. Preschools and vocational training in sewing, weaving, and traditional music were initiated. YWAMers provided emergency distribution, postal, and banking services, offered social services, and created jobs. Through these practical services, many Cambodians saw the gospel for the first time. And the refugees responded.
Today, there are Khmer churches in Europe, North America, Australasia, and Cambodia because of what God did in the Thai refugee camps.
source: YWAM Mercy
Europe 2014+
Millions of refugees fled Syria, Iran and Afghanistan seeking safety in Europe. Places like Lesvos and Lampadusa become household names. Many served to give a warm welcome to those on the ‘refugee highway’ as they sought shelter in western Europe.
From the refugee camp in Moria, to the streets of Athens, to the beaches in Calais, France, cities in Germany and Scandinavia many YWAMers poured their hearts out to help people find a new ‘home’
Ukrainian war 2022+
More than 6.2 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children are in European countries because of war.
More than 3.7 million are also internally displaced inside Ukraine because of the conflict.
As well as serving the newcomers many are still serving the displaced inside Ukraine by coordination transportation of humanitarian aid shipments to YWAM locations inside Ukraine who partner with churches across the nation delivering much need aid.
Africa
Malawi – YWAM Dzaleka’s focus is for refugees that are in Dzaleka Refugee camp in where there are 50.000 refugees and a community surrounding it. Ministries include sports, rehabilitaion and empowerment.
South Africa – YWAM Potch is an advocate and fundraiser for training refugees from Africa.
Uganda is now home to over 1 million refugees living in dozens of refugee camps, including the 2nd largest refugee camp in the world. Much of YWAM Arua’s work is focused on the refugee community.
USA
Pittsburg: Over 10,000 Bhutanese-Nepali people call Pittsburgh their home. Thousands from nations such as Burma, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, D.R. Congo, Liberia, Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi, and Cuba reside here as well. Many of their home nations are closed to the Gospel.
YWAM Pittsburg has been running a ‘Kidz Club’ since 2012. Most of these youth are Nepali, Karen (a Burmese people group), and from various African nations.
Asia
Over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees remain in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char (Bangladesh)
Refugees aren’t permitted to work in Bangladesh, despite repeated requests for them to be allowed to earn an income. This means that Rohingya families can’t support themselves in exile but also can’t return home for fear of violence – instead, they are trapped in limbo and considered stateless under international law. Info source: NRC
At the moment we are not aware of any YWAM work there. Perhaps God is calling you to work there?
YWAM is training, evangelism &
Mercy Ministries
There are 4.4 million stateless people, who have been denied a nationality and lack access to basic rights such as education, health care, employment and freedom of movement. (UNHCR)
YWAM operates relief and development programs in over 100 countries, working among people living in desperate circumstances.
Sudan
is the world’s largest displacement and humanitarian crisis. The civil war has driven 14.4 million people from their homes and left two-thirds of the population requiring humanitarian aid. Most (11.6 million) are internally displaced, and 2.8 million are across borders. At the end of 2024, conflict in eastern DRC had created 1.22 million refugees and asylum seekers, and 6.9 million IDPs.
The LORD…remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow (Psalm 146:6–10)
How You Can Help
Getting Involved
Pray!
Pray and ask God how you should be involved with refugee ministry.
Join a team
Many YWAM locations are actively involved with refugee ministry. Check out ywam.org or contact your local YWAM location.
Contact a RCG Convener
Steve Ashworth (in Amsterdam) is our European RCG convener. Kari Tassia is coordinating the international (as we do not yet have functioning circles outside Europe – maybe you can help start a group in your region?)
Join us in advocating for bringing hope and life to those who have sought refuge.
