About us
We are...
We are ‘team refugee’, a team of over ten thousand motivated volunteers and paid staff. We believe that people who have had to leave their homes for fear of oppression, persecution, and war should be able to build a new existence in safety. An existence where they can fully participate and contribute to our society.
How it started
The Dutch Council for Refugees was founded more than 45 years ago, in 1979. The goal? To support refugees at all times, independent of politics.
Until then, human rights organizations, churches and the government had advocated for the protection of refugees. Now, a professional organization was formed, working with volunteers to provide shelter, protection and integration. After years of being organized locally, the association was transformed into one national organization in 2022: the Dutch Council for Refugees.
This is us now
people
In 2024 we guided over 77,400 asylum seekers through their asylum procedure.
municipalities
We operate in 280 municipalities and provide social support in 215.
volunteers
Almost 8,000 volunteers dedicate themselves to the Dutch Council for Refugees.
Our locations
The Dutch Council for Refugees is the only organization in the Netherlands that assists refugees at all stages of their stay. We do so with a network of locations, staff and volunteers nationwide. The Dutch Council for Refugees is active in all asylum seekers' centres (azc's) and 74% of all municipalities in the Netherlands.
What we do
Refugees can always count on us. In addition to our assistance, we represent them locally and nationally with our unique and broad (legal) expertise.
What you can do
Our donors and volunteers enable us to help refugees build a new, safe life. Do you want to help us with a donation?