The Europe Refugee Crisis has been marked by three stark images; the beach, the camp, the community. People arrive at the beach. They are then moved to a camp. Finally, they are integrated into the community. These three phases help us better minister to refugees:
The Beach
The beach is a short but critical period. It is the moment of first contact. People are terrified, shocked, or dazed. Physical needs are paramount. They may be wet, tired, hungry, or dehydrated. Some may even need immediate medical attention. How do you respond? Knowing a few simple things can help you step into a “beach” situation with confidence and make a positive impact on lives that desperately need help. At the beach, working with relief organizations and effectively networking with ministry partners is critical.
The Camp
After landing on the beach, people are typically moved to a camp to await resolution of their situation. Though the appearance of camp varies by location, the term encompasses any place or situation where refugees anchor while their status is finalized. The camp can vary in terms of the amount of time. At this point, imminent danger of death has passed, but it remains critical to understand what is involved in this step. Many well-intentioned but misinformed Evangelicals were banned from refugee sites because they did not clearly understand the dynamics of this stage in refugee resettlement.
During the Europe Refugee Crisis, temporary solutions ranged from government-sponsored, well-prepared facilities to open areas equipped with tents. For those not in government-sponsored sites, the camp may have been an abandoned dwelling where refugees moved in and began living. Regardless of the situation, no one wants to be in a camp. They want to spend as little time there as is necessary, yet all refugees have a great deal of unstructured time when in camp.
The Community
Community refers to the integration of refugees into the local community after moving beyond the camp. At this point refugees have attained legal recognition, need to learn the national language, and get on with “living.” Though still processing their past, they understand they need help to move on in the future. This phase presents a unique opportunity for churches. All over Europe, churches have been revitalized by deciding to engage with nearby refugee populations.
Craig and Dana Mathison started in missions in 1985. They currently serve in the North Atlantic and Canada area.