When Maryam arrived in Italy, she was carrying little more than a small bag and her laptop – the last pieces of a life she’d built before war took everything from her. The streets were unfamiliar, the language foreign, and the future uncertain. But what weighed most wasn’t what she had lost – it was the fear that, in this new place, she might never belong again.
Maryam’s story mirrors that of thousands arriving in Europe each year – people who survive the unimaginable only to face new battles in refugee camps and temporary shelters. These camps, scattered from Greece to France, were never meant to be long-term homes. Yet for countless families, they’ve become just that – places where people wait months or even years for the simplest right: safety.
Every day, refugees face challenges that most of us can barely imagine. Overcrowded shelters. Unreliable access to clean water or food. The anxiety of insecure living conditions that leave women and children especially vulnerable. And beyond the physical hardships, there’s the weight of waiting – of being ready to work, study, and contribute, yet unable to move forward.
But even in the middle of hardship, there are sparks of hope – and you, our supporters, help keep them alive. Our partners across Europe are transforming daily realities through small, powerful acts of care. CRIBS International provides a lifeline for new mothers in vulnerable situations. The Nicosia Mercy Centre fills empty cupboards with food bags and groceries for families in Cyprus. And La Capuche Mobilisée delivers tents and supplies to those surviving cold nights in northern France.
At ForRefugees, we stand shoulder to shoulder with these groups because change happens when compassion becomes action. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply sharing these stories online, each of us has the power to make a difference.
Behind every tent, every queue for food, every story like Maryam’s, there’s someone dreaming of a safer, fuller life. Together, we can help make that dream real – one act of solidarity at a time.
Discover the impact of our kindness movement and see how hope is taking root in Europe’s refugee communities by clicking the link below.
