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Our work

Worldwide, there are over 82 million people displaced by war and violence. Some refugees seek protection in our country. We stand up for their interests and help them build a new life in the Netherlands.

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National and international rights of refugees

Refugees are increasingly dealing with a government that interprets rules too strictly. Or treats them unfairly. We bring this to the attention of politicians and ask the general public for support. Sometimes we submit these cases to a national or European court. Because refugees have to deal with European rules as well, we keep an eye on Brussels. We also share our knowledge and expertise with international partner organizations.

Find out more about our international activities.

Our work from a refugee's point of view

After a sometimes months-long journey by land and sea, a refugee arrives in the Netherlands. Most refugees then start as asylum seekers. An asylum seeker is someone who asks for protection in the Netherlands through an asylum application. You will then enter the asylum procedure. During your first days, you will meet a volunteer from the Dutch Council for Refugees.

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The asylum procedure: long waiting times

Sometimes it can take months before you have a first conversation with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND). We are committed to shortening these waiting times. During that period you can contact our volunteers and they will help you with legal questions. Children sometimes flee with them and live with their parents in the shelter. Therefore, our volunteers provide children's activities and organize the children's holiday weeks with the help of donors.

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Salah (38) from Yemen was most concerned about his autistic son. When the big day of their reunion finally arrives, we travel with Salah to Schiphol.

Family reunification and your own home

If you are allowed to stay in the Netherlands, you will officially receive refugee status and a residence permit. You are then entitled to family reunification. But you will not get a lawyer in this complicated procedure, which sometimes takes years. That is why a volunteer helps you to get family members to the Netherlands. You are also entitled to a house. This can take a lot of time due to the housing shortage. In your new place of residence, you will meet our local volunteers.

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Integration and finding a job

The government obliges you to follow integration courses. You can contact us for an integration process. In addition to these lessons, you will practice your Dutch in practice with our voluntary language coach. As soon as you have a residence permit (status) you can start looking for work in the Netherlands. You have to start building up a whole new network for that and you are only just getting to know the Dutch culture. You can therefore contact our voluntary employment coaches.

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Understanding for Refugees: Education and Campaigns

A welcome society is important to you so that you feel at home and can be part of society. That is why we want to increase support for refugees. We regularly campaign for this and work together with ambassadors. In soms cases we support initiatives by others with our support fund.

We also think it is important that children and young people receive information about the subject of refugees through education. That is why we make free lesson packages. And we organize information sessions for schools and companies with people who themselves have had to flee.

Help refugees in the Netherlands with a donation!

In search of safety, refugees left behind everything they hold dear. Now they have to rebuild their lives in a country that is foreign to them. VluchtelingenWerk Nederland helps refugees on their way to a new future.

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'If you can really help someone, it feels very good.'

Ad (72) is a language coach
Yes, I help refugees in the Netherlands