Refugees International: Advocating for the World's Displaced Populations
In an era of increasing global instability, Refugees International (RI) stands as a critical voice for those forced to flee their homes. As a non-profit non-governmental organization (NGO), RI focuses on advocacy, human rights, and the promotion of lifesaving assistance for displaced people worldwide. By combining rigorous field research with strategic political pressure, the organization works to ensure that the world's most vulnerable populations are not forgotten by the global community.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1979 by Sue Morton.
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C. and New York City.
- Funding Model: Independent; accepts no government or United Nations funding.
- Core Mission: Advocacy for human rights, protection, and lifesaving assistance for displaced persons.
- Current Leadership: President Jeremy Konyndyk.
The History and Evolution of Refugees International
Refugees International began in 1979 as a grassroots citizens' movement. Founded by Sue Morton, the organization was initially created to protect Indochinese refugees. During its first year, Morton operated from Tokyo and Singapore, while Dianne L. Lawson served as the founding Director in Washington, D.C., where she handled the organization's U.S. incorporation.
The organization gained immediate visibility on July 19, 1979, through a full-page advertisement in The Washington Post. This ad urged the U.S. Executive and Legislative branches to rescue Vietnamese and Cambodian (Kampuchean) refugees stranded at sea. Simultaneously, Morton and Lawson joined a march from the Lincoln Memorial to the White House, led by Senator Paul Simon and singer Joan Baez. This action culminated in a historic moment when President Jimmy Carter emerged from the White House to announce that the U.S. 7th Fleet had been ordered to rescue all refugees fleeing Southeast Asia by boat.
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While it began as a volunteer-led effort, Refugees International expanded its professional staff and global scope by 1990. The organization broadened its advocacy to include Liberian refugees in Guinea and Kuwaitis in the Iraq-Jordan desert. Today, RI has evolved into a sophisticated advocacy body that conducts field missions to identify urgent needs for basic services, including food, water, healthcare, housing, and education.
Operational Strategy and Independence
A defining characteristic of Refugees International is its financial independence. To ensure its advocates can speak truth to power without conflict of interest, RI does not accept funding from any government or the United Nations. Instead, the organization relies on donations from individuals, private foundations, and corporations.
The organization utilizes a research-driven approach. By conducting field missions to areas of displacement and refugee crises, RI gathers first-hand evidence of humanitarian needs. This data is then used to appeal to aid agencies and policymakers, often highlighting the strategic benefits of United States foreign aid in stabilizing crisis zones.
Current Areas of Focus
Refugees International currently concentrates its efforts on displacement crises in and around the following regions:
- Central African Republic
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Mali
- Myanmar
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Colombia
Organizational Leadership
The organization has been led by individuals with deep experience in diplomacy and humanitarian affairs. The current president, Jeremy Konyndyk, brings extensive government experience, having served as USAID's lead official on COVID-19 under the Biden administration and director of the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance under the Obama administration.
Previous leadership includes Eric P. Schwartz, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, and Michel Gabaudan, who previously served as a Regional Representative for the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). Other notable figures associated with the organization include former President Lionel Rosenblatt and former board members such as George Soros, Richard Holbrooke, and Sam Waterston.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Type | Non-profit NGO |
| Primary Fields | Advocacy, Human Rights, Humanitarian Research |
| Funding Sources | Individuals, Foundations, Corporations |
| Key Locations | Washington, D.C. & New York City |
| Website | www.refugeesinternational.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Refugees International funded?
Refugees International is funded exclusively through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. It intentionally refuses funding from governments and the United Nations to maintain its independence as an advocate.
What is the primary goal of Refugees International?
The organization advocates for the protection of displaced people, promotes human rights, and pushes for lifesaving assistance and long-term solutions to displacement crises.
How does the organization determine where to focus its efforts?
RI conducts field missions to locations experiencing refugee crises and displacement. These missions allow them to identify specific needs for basic services—such as health care, food, and education—which then inform their advocacy with policymakers.
Who founded Refugees International and why?
It was founded in 1979 by Sue Morton as a citizens' movement specifically aimed at protecting Indochinese refugees fleeing Southeast Asia.
Who is the current president of the organization?
The current president is Jeremy Konyndyk, who has a background in USAID and U.S. foreign disaster assistance.