Sorting problems from the Ground
Beyond The Social Hub, Charlie MacGregor is passionate about improving refugee camps through Movement on the Ground – the humanitarian crises nongovernmental organisation (NGO) he co-founded in 2015.
On the Greek islands of Lesvos, Samos and Chios, it works in and around refugee camps with the mission of transforming camps into campuses and offering refugees better opportunities and a better life.
Motivated to bring change to the humanitarian field, Movement On The Ground’s aim is to dignify refugee reception across the globe through its ‘Camp to campUs’philosophy.
What started as a model demonstrating how to transform a refugee camp into a safe, healing and enabling environment, it has evolved into a mindset and a way of working.
Camp to campUs is about being rooted in both refugee and host communities to understand needs, wants and ambitions.
In seeking a more holistic solution towards refugee reception, Movement on the Ground aims to empower refugees and create an environment in which host communities feel included and valued.
People on the move often experience great trauma and distress as a result of their displacement, and studies show that while living in camps, they are more likely to experience mental health deterioration.
Movement On The Ground has implemented a community-based programme that provides mental health and wellbeing support to camp residents.
It also carries out a diverse range of infrastructure projects, including electricity provision, access to dignified showers and toilets, waste management and food provision.
It is also quick and effective in protecting camp residents from intense weather conditions, responding to fire damage and securing shelters.
In Greece, thousands of unaccompanied children find themselves falling outside the system of protective care.
Together with Greek partner, The HOME Project, Movement On The Ground has established three safe and healing homes to house unaccompanied girls, minor mothers and their babies, and boys.
For Scots entrepreneur and philanthropist Charlie, the work of Movement on the Ground is one small step towards world peace.
https://movementontheground. com/
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