Samenvatting

The number of displaced persons in the world has reached an exceedingly high amount. Due to conflicts and war in Syria, the number of displaced persons has increased. The European Union was not prepared for a refugee influx on this scale. Applications in The Netherlands are being delayed and the pressure on the European Border States has increased. The protection of refugees is a shared responsibility between the Dutch state, NGOs, international organisations and agencies. The global perception of the refugee crisis changed significantly when images were published worldwide of a young refugee boy, lying face down on a picturesque Mediterranean beach. The current refugee crisis is discussed at a Global, European, national and local level. Whilst the Dutch politicians are discussing the situation, NGOs in The Hague are charged with mobilising and providing help. This final paper at hand will discuss Amnesty International, The Dutch Council for Refugees, The Red Cross and STEK. The NGOs are situated in The Hague.
The aim of this final paper is to research what the effects are of the refugee influx on NGOs in The Hague, therefore the following research question is formulated: what are the effects of the increasing flow of refugees on Non-Governmental Organisations in The Hague? A mixed approach of qualitative research methods was used to answer the research question. The qualitative approach comprised preliminary findings such as NGO publications, annual reports, NGO research reports, government papers, policy papers and news articles. Besides, semi-structured interviews with employees from four different NGOs in The Hague were conducted to elaborate on the findings from secondary research.
My study shows that the NGOs are dealing with the refugee influx in their own ways. For instance, the Red Cross that was managed from a top-down approach by the director of the Red Cross. The Dutch Council for Refugees that is constantly adapting to new situations due to decisions of the municipality in The Hague. STEK that did not deal with the refugee influx from the start until the permit holders were relocated in The Hague and Amnesty International with a focus on lobbying for human rights. It is highly recommended that the NGOs consider a regional commission in The Hague, in which all NGOs come together, with one spokesman from each organisation, to share information, and to construct an environment in which the task of every NGO is clear. This will prevent confusion and repetition of response amongst the NGOs. Furthermore, the organisations involved should create a common volunteering system preventing NGOs from being overwhelmed by applications of volunteers. Finally, the NGOs should introduce and implement long-term strategies in which the NGOs can create transparency in the execution and evaluation of the agreements that have been made. It is important that reflection periods are implemented with regards to long term agreements.