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Special Olympics Unified with Refugees

From Sub-Saharan Africa to the Middle East to Europe and beyond, there are over 110 million refugees who require immediate social protection, access to basic health and education services, and the support of the global community. Their plight continues to grow, as does their marginalization. Among them are refugees with intellectual disabilities, perhaps the most marginalized subset and the demographic at most risk of trafficking, abuse, and exploitation.
Young man on a football pitch, in front of a podium celebrating with four teammates and biting a golden medal

Who are we?

Special Olympics Unified with Refugees, a program that brings inclusive sports and related services to Special Olympics athletes and refugee youth alike, is committed to driving inclusive development to this population.

All refugee and migrant children and adults, with and without ID, lack safe spaces and activities that can nurture their social and emotional development. At Special Olympics Unified with Refugees, we address these issues head through our international partnerships with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and others to both gain access to camps and reception centers, and align strategies, services, and interventions. Special Olympics also works with a number of other partners to support this work, including Lions Clubs International, as well as corporate sponsors and private philanthropy. We invite other organizations to join forces with us as partners in this mission.

Learn more about the national and regional Special Olympics programs working with our partners to support one another during this time of crisis.

Geographic Reach

Special Olympics currently has active, inclusive programming in refugee settings in Ukraine, Poland, Syria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Malta, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Thailand. Other nations across regions have communicated the need and intention to begin Unified with Refugees as part of their national Special Olympics Program.

Unified with Refugees in Europe

Unified with Refugees in Europe
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Belgium
Special Olympics Unified with Refugee programs, including health screenings, sports training, etc., are hosted in collaboration with Lions Clubs International—Belgium and local reception centers.
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Poland
Special Olympics Unified with Refugee programs, including health screenings, sports training, etc., are hosted in collaboration with Lions Clubs International Foundation, local government, and local reception centers.
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Slovakia
Special Olympics Unified with Refugee programs, including health screenings, sports training, etc., are hosted in collaboration with Lions Clubs International Foundation, Kia Motors, Special Olympics Connecticut, and local reception centers.
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Moldova
Special Olympics Unified with Refugee programs, including health screenings, sports training, etc., are hosted in collaboration with Lions Clubs International Foundation, UNICEF Moldova, and National Football Federation of Moldova.
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Romania
Special Olympics Unified with Refugee programs, including health screenings, sports training, etc., are hosted in collaboration with Lions Clubs International—Romania, UNHCR Romania Special Olympics Canada, Special Olympics New Jersey, and local reception centers.
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Bosnia and Herzegovina
Special Olympics Unified with Refugee programs, including health screenings, sports training, etc., are hosted in collaboration with UNHCR BiH, UNICEF BiH, and UNFPA BiH.
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Italy
Special Olympics Unified with Refugee programs, including health screenings, sports training, etc., are hosted in collaboration with UNHCR Italia, Red Cross of Italia, and local reception centers.
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Spain
Special Olympics Unified with Refugee programs, including health screenings, sports training, etc., are hosted in collaboration with Lions Clubs International—Spain, ACNUR, the national government, and local reception centers.

Unified with Refugees in Africa

Unified with Refugees in Africa
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Tanzania
Special Olympics Unified with Refugee programs, including health screenings, sports training, etc., are hosted in collaboration with Lions Clubs International—Tanzania, UNHCR Tanzania, and local government.
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Uganda
Special Olympics Unified with Refugee programs, including health screenings, sports training, etc., are hosted in collaboration with Lions Clubs International—Uganda, UNHCR Uganda, and UNFPA Uganda.
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Kenya
Special Olympics Unified with Refugee programs, including health screenings, sports training, etc., are hosted in collaboration with Lions Clubs International—Kenya, UNHCR Kenya, and local government.

Unified with Refugees in Asia

Unified with Refugees in Asia
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Pakistan
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Thailand
Special Olympics Unified with Refugee programs, including health screenings, sports training, etc., are hosted in collaboration with UNHCR Thailand, Right to Play, and local government.

Stories from Unified with Refugees

Ukrainian Teen Vlad Flourishes on the Dutch Athletics Track

Vlad Bezghinov, originally from Ukraine, competed in the 100 metres, 200 metres and shot put at the recent Special Olympics Netherlands 2024 National Games.
2 Min Read

Special Olympics Athletes and Refugees Team Up for Unified Football in Spain

Inclusivity took center stage in Seville, Spain on 25 April 2024, as Special Olympics Andalucía football players and refugees from the local Refugee Reception Center came together for an exhibition match.
2 Min Read

Konrad Debniak’s Story Of Resilience

The Special Olympics Poland athlete finds confidence, equality, and purpose through sports.
3 Min Read
Unified with Refugee
  • Group of people in 2 rows standing and one row crouching, outside next to Special Olympics Tanzania Lions Clubs signage.
    Support Unified With Refugees
    Special Olympics Unified with Refugees brings inclusive sports, access to public health screenings, family health education support, early childhood development and more to the local communities supporting the most marginalized among us. Your help is urgently needed—donate today!
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