Places to volunteer in the Middle East: Many people from Western countries find volunteering in the Middle East an attractive prospect because it is a troubled region that constantly appears in the media and is a place where outside help can have an obvious impact due to the ongoing instability and political issues. With our unique scoring system, we will guide you through where are the best and worst areas to volunteer in the Middle East.

  • Places to volunteer in the Middle East
  • Places to volunteer in the Middle East
  • Study Arabic in Palestine (1-3 Months)
  • Places to volunteer in the Middle East
  • Places to volunteer in the Middle East

Volunteering in the Mesopotamian region

Some people may consider volunteering in the Mesopotamian region, that is to say in Iraq and Kurdistan, because they think this where they can do the most good, due to recent political turmoil and ongoing security concerns.

But this is precisely why it’s not the best place to look – the safety picture here is constantly changing and volatility shows no signs of subsiding, so while it may be cheap to volunteer here, there are not enough organizations operating in this region and it is not safe enough to recommend it as a place to start your volunteer journey.

  • Safety – 5/10
  • Impact – 9/10
  • Appropriate organizations – 7/10
  • Cost of living – 7/10
  • Overall – 6/10

Volunteering in the Gulf States

The Gulf States: the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia etc. can be a more appealing choice for voluntary work – they tend to be more stable and wealthy countries. However, this does mean they tend to be more expensive for living in and traveling to. Additionally, despite wealth inequality, your work will probably have less impact in this area than elsewhere and there are fewer international NGOs and multilateral organizations operating here.

 It is generally thought that the money is there to fix the problems that exist nationally, so international aid is less necessary. The Gulf States are also severely hot during summer and if you are coming from a mild or temperate climate, this might be a very difficult adjustment for you to make. So while it is a safe place to volunteer, there are probably better places where you can volunteer your time.

  • Safety – 9/10
  • Impact – 6/10
  • Appropriate organizations – 7/10
  • Cost of living – 7/10
  • Overall – 7/10

Volunteering in the Levantine region

The Levantine is a very interesting region and could be one of the Places to volunteer in the Middle East and it is hard to give precise scores – safety in Syria, for example, is markedly different from the safety score for Lebanon or Jordan for example. Likewise, the cost of living in Beirut is much higher than the cost of living in the West Bank, Palestine. However, the overall picture that emerges of the Levant is a region that is down on its luck and very much needs outside help.

However, in general, it’s not a particularly expensive place to live and travel to, and barring Syria and Gaza, it is generally a safe place as well. There are plenty of international and local NGOs operating here too, so if you want to volunteer in one of these countries, there are plenty of opportunities for you to pursue in the Levantine region.

  • Safety – 7/10
  • Impact – 9/10
  • Appropriate organizations – 8/10
  • Cost of living – 8/10
  • Overall 8/10

Volunteering in Palestine

Of everywhere Palestine is the best place to volunteer in the Middle East. It is a country in reduced circumstances (though not through fault of its own) and there are so many people that need help here. Due to the ongoing problems of Israeli Occupation, the economy is not doing so well, so it is not an expensive place to visit. The Excellence Center in Hebron, West Bank is just one of the many organizations which do great work in the community to improve the plight of the Palestinian people.

Volunteering in Hebron

Hebron is a large city located in the South of the West Bank, where the Israeli Occupation is very present. Particularly in the Old City of Hebron, there is low-level ongoing conflict and volunteers are vital in providing teaching and other public services which are otherwise lacking.

The Excellence Center is deeply embedded in the local community to provide these services (as well as training and language skills), so if you take a voluntary program with the Excellence Center, you will really be able to see the difference your work is making with the locals.

Internships as well as a voluntary teaching

The Excellence Center offers internships as well as voluntary teaching posts in the West Bank, which can range from a couple of weeks up to three months, depending on your schedule and future plans. Simply go on the Excellence Website and find the program that’s right for you and then apply by contacting us on the contact details provided below.

Once accepted the Excellence Center can guide you on how to prepare your voluntary experience, as well as how to get Hebron.

You may see negative media reports about the situation here in Palestine, but generally speaking, the West Bank is very safe. There are occasional clashes and protests in the Old City of Hebron, but these are highly localized and easily avoided as long as you are sensible with your movements.

We hope you enjoyed reading the Places to volunteer in the Middle East article. We are happy to help you find a program.

Find us online

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact at Rafat@excellencenter.org

Whatsapp:+972599479880

For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org

Excellence Center’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter

Excellence Center’s Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/RafatECHebron

Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQSLdFZWZcBm6Uj0XMYuKg

Visit and Explore Palestine: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorePalestine

 

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