Refugees International is an NGO headed by Ken Bacon.

Mission Statement

Refugees International (RI) generates lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection for displaced people around the world and works to end the conditions that create displacement.

Advocacy

The characteristics of RI's effective and efficient organization are independence, flexibility, and the cutting-edge quality of our advocacy. It takes an uncompromising rights-based approach to advocacy on behalf of refugees and displaced persons.

RI acts first and foremost as a witness to the suffering of the displaced. Its advocates spend weeks in the field interviewing and meeting with war-affected populations, non-governmental organizations and aid agencies. RI has conducted missions in over 30 countries. In the past year, RI visited Afghanistan, the Great Lakes region of Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Angola, Guatemala, Colombia, the Balkans, Lebanon and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Uganda, the Thai-Burmese border, and the Caucasus.

RI advocates assess humanitarian problems, identify the most urgent needs and move quickly to develop immediate solutions to those needs. Their contribution to the humanitarian field lies in a unique combination of advocacy and action, both with hands-on expertise in crisis situations and with policymakers in Washington, New York, Geneva and other centers.

Leverage

RI's advocacy generates increases in resources and policy changes by governments and UN agencies that improve conditions for refugees and displaced people. RI does not accept any government or UN funding. Rather, RI leverages donations from individuals, foundations and corporations.

External link

Refugees International home page