We’re dispelling some of the most common myths about refugees. There are many things said about refugees that just aren’t true. In fact, our president and CEO, Martha Holley Newsome, has covered this before.

We’re back to make clear that behind the label of “refugee” are people just like us. They’re our brothers, sisters, parents, and friends.

It’s more important than ever to recognize the resilience of people who have been forced to make the heart-wrenching decision to leave home. Right now, 1 of every 88 people on earth have made the courageous choice to go for their own safety.

At Medical Teams, we know that many of these myths aren’t true because we’ve listened with open hearts to the stories of people seeking refuge. No matter where we are, we provide loving, life-saving medical care…and a listening ear.

We see God in the face of all the people we serve. They’re our neighbors, worthy of our respect and care. Read on to learn more about refugees and the truth behind the myths!

Myth #1: Most refugees go to global north, high-income countries.

You’ve probably heard (or seen) this myth about refugees. Sometimes, the news can make it seem like refugees only come to Western countries like the U.S. or the U.K. Footage of vans approaching a border or boats landing on shores can give the impression that most people are seeking out high-income nations.

In reality, the vast majority of people seek refuge in neighboring low-to-middle income nations. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that 74% of the world’s displaced populations are hosted in low and middle income countries.

As of 2022, Türkiye welcomed 3.7 million people, the most of any country. Colombia, where Medical Teams helps Venezuelan migrants, hosts 2.5 million people, the second most of any other country. Germany is actually the only Western country to rank in the top 5 countries who accept the most displaced people.

Myth #2: People leave home willingly in search of opportunity.

This is a common myth about refugees. Actually, leaving home is a last resort for most people. People are forced to make the difficult decision to leave their homes behind when their lives are threatened. War, religious persecution, or other life-threatening conflict are all reasons people choose to go. It isn’t a choice that’s taken lightly.

For example, Mwalibola, a woman in the Democratic Republic of Congo, explains the events that led up to her decision to leave.

She describes life before the refugee settlement, saying, “Before moving to Tanzania, I lived with my husband, and life was good. He did everything for our family. I used to look healthy and beautiful as we had everything we needed. Later, my life turned upside down when the rebels invaded our home at night and took my husband. I never saw him again.”

Mwalibola goes on to say,

“Rebels continued to hunt us repeatedly. The night turns into a nightmare as they come to hunt us down. There was no way we could stay safe. I only took my five children with me and fled to Tanzania.”

She recognizes the danger they came through and God’s grace in their difficult journey.

Mwalibola says, “Praise be to Jesus for bringing us here safely.”

Ultimately, Mwalibola knew the only way to protect herself and her children was to leave. Like many people, she would have preferred to stay in her beautiful life in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But war made that impossible.

Myth #3: Refugee, migrant, and displaced person all mean the same thing.

It’s easy to see how this myth about refugees got started — it seems like there are a lot of words to describe the same thing! But refugee, migrant, and internally displaced people all describe different situations for why people leave home. It’s important to know the difference because each term carries different legal statuses, too.

A refugee is a person who is forced to make the decision to leave their home countries because of dangerous circumstances. That might mean war or persecution. They face life-threatening consequences if they stay or return home before it’s safe to do so.

A migrant is a person who leaves their country because of lack of opportunity, usually economic. Generally, a person who migrates doesn’t do so because they are afraid of persecution or violence. They leave because they may be unable to get basic resources, like food.

An internally displaced person is someone who is forced to leave home because of natural disasters or violence. Instead of leaving their countries, though, they stay within their nation. They are able to go home once the natural disaster or violence is resolved.

No matter how someone’s situation is described, they are all facing similar challenges and obstacles. At Medical Teams, we serve all these groups. Behind the label is a person who made the difficult decision to leave home.

Myth #4: Most refugees are adults.

Sadly, this is a myth about refugees. About half of all refugees around the world are children. Some are separated from their families. Most will spend their entire childhoods away from home. Some are born away from their countries and will never know where they’re from.

Like any parent would, often people who leave home do so in part to protect their children. For example, Martin, the father of Furaha, was a farmer in the Democratic Republic of Congo before the war came. But he describes how life became more and more dangerous as violence came closer to their doorstep.

He says,

“The war was the reason for us fleeing here to Tanzania. I would never wish to endanger my children’s lives with the war.”

Children from families fleeing their home countries may be exposed to increased vulnerabilities. People on the move have a harder time getting enough food, so the risk of malnutrition goes up. It’s also harder for them to access health care, so diseases like malaria are more common. It’s especially difficult for kids who have been separated from their families in the chaos of leaving or whose parents have died.

Myth #5: Refugees could go home, but they don’t want to.

Over the last 40 years, we’ve heard countless stories from the people we serve. Besides being grateful to God for their safety, the most common refrain is how much people would love to someday go home again. People leave behind their friends, family members, and the places they grew up. They might not speak the language of their new country. Many never wanted to leave home in the first place.

This sentiment is true from Tanzania to Ukraine.

Martha, mother to 1-year-old Irankunda, left Burundi suddenly when war came to her front door. She fell into a deep depression from the difficulty of their journey to a refugee camp in Tanzania. She recovered and felt better after Medical Teams intervened.

But she still says, “If God allows, I will depart back to my home country healthy.”

Victoria, mother to 2-year-old Dmitri, had a similar feeling. She left her city in Ukraine when it became too dangerous to stay but hopes to go home soon.

She says,

“It’s not safe yet to return, but the day will come, and I will kiss the ground of my city.”

It’s hard to be away from the familiar places you know and love. Refugees want to go home, but they can’t until it’s safe. Returning home too soon could be life-threatening.

Myth #6: There’s nothing you can do to help.

This is the biggest myth of all! There are so many ways you can walk alongside someone in their darkest hour. From donating your car to volunteering, your generosity shows refugee men, women, and children around the world they’re not alone.

A donation of $25 sends life-saving medical care to a refugee who left behind everything for their own safety. Your gift is God’s love in action!

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Lauren Hobson
Copywriter & Editor