The Anglican Alliance has launched a global resource to help churches respond to rising displacement, as refugee numbers climb across Africa and humanitarian systems face growing strain.
The guide, titled “People on the Move,” was released March 31 and is designed to equip churches with practical tools to support migrants, refugees and internally displaced people.
The launch comes at a time when displacement is increasing worldwide. The Anglican Alliance says there are now more people on the move than at any point in recorded history. The organization estimates about 300 million people are migrants globally, including roughly 42.5 million refugees.
Much of that displacement is concentrated in Africa, where conflict, economic instability and climate shocks continue to force people from their homes.
In Chad, more than 1.3 million Sudanese refugees are facing severe shortages of food and water, according to the United Nations World Food Programme and the UNHCR. Aid groups report that only a fraction of those in need are receiving full assistance as funding shortfalls force humanitarian agencies to scale back operations.
Across eastern and southern Africa, the United Nations refugee agency estimates that more than 25 million people are forcibly displaced.
Against this backdrop, churches are taking on an increasingly visible role in supporting displaced communities, often stepping in where formal systems are overstretched or slow to respond.
In many areas, local churches are among the first points of contact for people arriving in need of assistance. They provide food, temporary shelter and pastoral care, while also helping migrants navigate unfamiliar communities.
Amy Bishop, Programme Officer at the Anglican Alliance, said churches are uniquely positioned to respond because of their presence within local communities.
“Churches are often well placed to offer pastoral and spiritual care, practical assistance, and access to local community networks,” she told Christian Daily International in an interview.
She said this role complements the work of governments and humanitarian agencies rather than replacing it.
Support resources
The new resource reflects that approach. It includes guidance on mental health support, legal considerations, safeguarding and child protection, as well as tools to help churches prepare for arrivals and build partnerships with other organizations.
Rob Dawes, executive director of the Anglican Alliance, said migration is being driven by a combination of factors.
“In today’s global context, migration is increasing at an unprecedented rate, driven by a complex mix of factors including climate change, conflict, rising poverty and reductions in international aid,” he said.
He added that churches are already responding “with compassion and courage,” offering practical help and spiritual support to people forced to flee their homes.
Examples highlighted by the Anglican Alliance include churches in Tanzania, Hong Kong and parts of Europe that are providing shelter, distributing food and supporting integration efforts, while also advocating for policy responses at national and international levels.
But even as churches expand their role, the organization says there are clear limits to what they can provide.
Bishop said one of the most significant challenges is access to qualified legal support.
“Immigration and asylum systems are complex and continually changing,” she said. “Churches frequently lack the specialist legal expertise required and are not well positioned to provide this support directly.”
Access to mental health care is another major gap. Many migrants and refugees have experienced trauma, but churches often do not have the resources to provide specialized support.
“While churches can offer pastoral care and accompaniment, they often lack access to professional, culturally appropriate mental health services for people who have experienced significant trauma,” Bishop said.
Funding also remains a persistent challenge. “While emergency needs may be met in the short term, longer-term support, such as housing stability, integration, and wellbeing often exceeds available resources,” she said.
The Anglican Alliance said it is working with partners to address some of these gaps. Bishop pointed to collaboration with the UNHCR, which has offered some legal support for churches receiving refugees, as well as work with the Mothers’ Union and the Bible Society on trauma support in some regions.
The resource encourages churches to recognize the assets they already have, including skills within congregations, church buildings and existing community relationships, while also building partnerships to address areas where they lack expertise.
The guidance also highlights legal and ethical risks that can arise when churches support migrants.
Bishop said churches most often encounter problems when the boundaries between pastoral care and legal advice are not clearly defined.
“Churches most commonly encounter legal risk when boundaries between pastoral support and legal advice become unclear,” she said.
To reduce those risks, the Anglican Alliance recommends that churches operate within local legal frameworks and only provide legal advice where they are authorized to do so. It also calls for clear referral pathways to qualified professionals, strong safeguarding policies and regular training for staff and volunteers.
Prioritizing needs of migrants and refugees
The guidance also emphasizes that churches must not use humanitarian work as a means of seeking converts, and must meet accountability standards expected by international donors.
“These safeguards are essential not only to protect churches and volunteers, but also to prevent unintended harm to migrants and refugees themselves,” Bishop said.
The resource also addresses the tensions churches may face when their work brings them into conflict with local communities or government policies.
In some countries, tightening immigration rules and pressure on public services have made it more difficult to support new arrivals.
Bishop said churches need to carefully consider the legal and social context in which they operate, particularly the safety of migrants, staff and volunteers.
“It is vital that support offered does not expose those being helped to additional risk,” she said.
At the same time, she said many churches see supporting vulnerable people as central to their mission, even when that work is unpopular.
“Many churches understand their calling as walking alongside the vulnerable, even when this is unpopular, by offering pastoral presence and advocating for humane treatment within legal frameworks,” she said.
She added that decisions about how far to go require careful judgment. “Discernment is essential, balancing faith convictions with responsibility and care,” Bishop added.
As displacement continues to rise and humanitarian funding remains constrained, the Anglican Alliance says local institutions such as churches will continue to play a critical role.
But the organization stresses that they cannot meet the growing need alone. Instead, the resource calls for coordinated efforts between churches, governments and humanitarian agencies to ensure that migrants and refugees receive the support they need while minimizing risks.
Bishop said that balance is key to ensuring that those already facing vulnerability are not placed under further strain.
“Churches should consistently seek to ensure that migrants and refugees, who already face significant vulnerability, do not bear the greatest burden,” she said.
