Psychosocial Challenges at a Refugee Camp: When Volunteer Preparation is Lacking

This small-scale study was undertaken to learn about training for volunteers participating in a particular nongovernmental organization (NGO) program to help refugees living at a camp in Greece. There is a dearth of research on this topic in spite of the fact that organizations rely heavily on the support of volunteers. The design was that of a pilot case study. It was conducted using observations and interviews of volunteers at the NGO. Findings indicated that volunteers were poorly trained, as the NGO staff had insufficient knowledge about refugees in general, and the refugee population at the camp, in particular. The lack of training resulted in high levels of frustration for the camp residents as well as poor morale and sadness on the part of the volunteers. There are relatively easy solutions for better preparing volunteers to support refugees in transitional camps, including pre-arrival and on-site mentoring on the culture, history, and languages of the predominant camp residents as well as clear instructions on procedures and careful oversight by NGO staff, all of which would result in improved wellbeing for both refugees and volunteers.