8A- Solving the Problem

Selected Opportunity:



The selected opportunity I have chosen to focus on for the remainder of this class has to do with refugees or those in crisis around the world due to war or genocide. Currently the largest population of refugees come from Syria however there are also refugees from Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia that have been displaced and are most likely impoverished. The word “opportunity” in the context of refugees may not fit perfectly. There is however a large need for medical providers and rehabilitation services within refugee camps across the world. The United Nations’ UNHCR division primarily deals with these kinds of crises. They are majorly concerned with organizing refugees camps, accounting for individuals, providing emergency medical aid, and assisting with the transition to a new place. The UN also works with outside organizations to provide aid.



Solution:

I would be starting an NGO that works alongside UNHCR and WHO. I do not mean to stand in my ivory tower and say there is an easy fix for or solution to this problem, nor do I mean to think that I can waltz over into a foreign country and start solving other people’s problems. Consequently, the first step would be to actually go over there and see what kind of needs are unmet and listen to how the refugees themselves would like to be medically treated. A group of diverse anthropologists would be at the core of this NGO. As I am going to school to become an occupational therapist, this NGO would consist of a group of international OT’s and PT’s. Occupational therapy deals with planning and executing ways for individuals to be functional doing what occupies their time on a day to day basis. Physical therapists work with regaining control over muscles and body parts. Together, these two practices can provide long term affects for allowing refugees to live more fulfilled lives. I am a psychology major also so I would want a team of holistic psychologists to be paired with each group to address the mental health issues that may be present within the mind of the individual. Of course this isn’t a full solution, however it may allow for individuals to overcome their day to day struggles.