The rise in support for refugee charities

An increasing number of people are forced to flee their homes and become refugees, either in their own country, to neighbouring countries, or further abroad.

Numbers have been growing year-on-year over the previous 12 years as war escalates in many regions and the impact of climate change worsens, according to UNHCR.

While many welcome refugees and offer support, their presence also fuels sentiment from those who are less kind.  

In the UK, this is being manifested in so-called ‘culture war’ attacks on charities offering support, even being aimed at the RNLI for rescuing those travelling across the English Channel.

Across Europe there is a rise in anti-immigration political movements, including in Italy, Netherlands, Germany, and France.

Amid this tense situation, refugee charities in the UK are finding their support growing, suggesting culture war attacks on their work are falling flat.

Here we look in detail about the rise of refugee numbers and emerging evidence showing growing support for asylum seeker charities. We also consider how charities are using tech to better support those fleeing their homes.

Refugee facts and figures

By the end of 2023 an estimated 117.3 million people globally were forcibly displaced by conflict, climate change, and other serious events, says UNHCR. This equates to one in 69 people in the world.

Among the worst affected areas is Sudan where since 2023 more than six million people have been displaced within its borders, with a further 1.2 million fleeing to neighbouring countries.

Most refugees remain in or near their country of origin, with seven in ten hosted by neighbouring areas at the end of 2023. Low and middle-income countries, rather than those in high income areas in Europe, host three quarters of refugees.

Just 1% of the 27.1 million refugees who are displaced across the world live in the UK, according to charity the Refugee Council.

The UNCHR warns that extreme weather events caused by climate change are adding to the challenges refugees face. At the end of 2023, three in four refugees are living in countries with “high-to-extreme exposure to climate-related hazards” such as droughts, floods, and extreme heat.

Growing support for refugee charities

More than a third of 3,000 people surveyed by charity researcher Eden Stanley say they are open to start supporting a charity helping asylum seekers but do not currently do so.

The survey took place in April and May 2024, with researchers saying the findings show “there is untapped potential” for refugee charities.

Just under half of those surveyed are either happy with the current level of asylum applications being accepted or believe the UK should be taking in more refugees.

More than half (52%) say they are sympathetic to refugees. This is a six-percentage point increase over the last seven years and underlines how support for refugee charities is growing.

Three main attitudes to refugees

In terms of attitudes to refugees, three distinct groups have emerged. They are broadly of similar size of around a third each.  The groups are:

• High sympathy – those who advocate for welcoming refugees to the UK, highlighting their positive impact on society and criticising the government’s insufficient support
• Weary and ambivalent – those who are broadly ambivalent towards the issue but express fatigue over the politicisation of refugees and distrust how the media portray them
• Low sympathy – those who are sceptical towards refugees and their cultural and economic contributions, viewing them as a security risk and economic burden, and opposing the idea of accepting more

Eden Stanley Founder Joe Barrell says that growing support for refugees contrasts with culture war attacks on those seeking asylum. “More than half of the UK population now expresses empathy towards refugees, a significant increase from 2017,” he said.

“It’s clear that the public’s support is growing, not diminishing, even in the context of the highly polarised political debate on the topic – and it’s important that campaigners of all types understand this.

“The news that over a third of people (37%) say they would be open to supporting a refugee charity, but don’t do so currently, presents a real opportunity for NGOs and other charities to reclaim the discourse on this issue and inspire real change.

“To do so effectively they need to focus their efforts on understanding the ambivalent middle or ‘Weary’ group that our research identified and develop engagement strategies that speak to their concerns.”

How tech is helping refugees

Refurbishing old smartphones to ensure disadvantaged groups can stay connected is important way charities and not for profit organisations are supporting refugees.

Among charities doing this is Hubbub, which runs a phone recycling scheme alongside tech firm Virgin Media O2.

Their Community Calling scheme also distributes phones to domestic abuse survivors among others. So far 20,000 devices have been recycled.

Community interest company SocialBox.biz is another to support refugees in this way, by collecting and refurbishing disused laptops, PCs and other tech to support refugees, the homeless, older people, care experienced young people and ex-offenders.