By GoEuro, the sponsor of this post
Traveling through Europe will introduce you to a lot of fun places. Refugees trying to build new lives in Europe, however, often struggle to make ends meet. In some places, they also face danger from those who do not want new people entering their countries.
Yes, you should enjoy your travels in Europe; however, you should also recognize that travel is a luxury. In order to make a positive impact on those who need help in the places you’re passing through, consider helping refugees in the following ways.
1. Donate To Charities That Support Refugees
Dozens of charitable organizations use their money to support refugees living in Europe. It’s often difficult, however, for people to decide which charities to trust. That issue becomes even more complicated when you want to donate to an organization in a foreign country.
Charity Navigator can help you decide which charities to support. The website lists several charities that assist refugees of the Syrian crisis. Each charity gets a rating, so you can pick a dependable option easily.
If you don’t feel comfortable giving to an organization that you don’t know, consider donating to an international group like the Red Cross.
2. Volunteer Your Time to Support Refugees
Having the ability to travel through Europe doesn’t necessarily mean you have enough money to give charities. If you’re short on cash, donate your time.
Volunteer opportunities vary considerably. Some people choose to distribute food and water at refugee camps. Others spend a few hours teaching English and other languages to newcomers. If you have medical skills, you can spend a day taking care of the sick and injured.
The Support Refugees website can help you find volunteer opportunities in several European countries based on your schedule and skills.
3. Show Support By Visiting Countries That Accept Refugees
Some European countries have opened their borders to help refugees. Others have put strict limits on how many they will accept.
It takes a lot of time and money for a country to host refugees. If you support refugees, then you should give active countries some support, too. Some of the most accepting countries include Germany, France and Spain. Make plans to visit these destinations to bolster their tourism economies. Your visit will also show that taking a courageous stand gets noticed by travelers all over the world.
Everyone who visits Europe should take time to enjoy themselves and experience the wonderful cultures of several countries. Considering the many people suffering, it also makes sense to make a small sacrifice that will benefit others. Charity doesn’t have to dominate your trip, but it can play an important role in the life of someone fleeing war.
Do you have a suggestion on how to help refugees while traveling Europe? We’d love to hear in the comments below!
Jessica Festa
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I really love the last tip about visiting places who support refugees – I’ve been trying to think of ways that I can help specifically through my travels and this makes a lot of sense…support those countries who are supporting others! Thanks for sharing this.