Thousands of refugees fleeing Syria and other conflict­-ridden countries are continuing to risk a dangerous sea journey to the Greek island of Lesbos in small boats, even as cold weather approaches.

Humans can survive 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. But how long can we survive without a safe place to call home? Join Rashida Jones as she visits Syrian refugees in limbo in Lebanon in the International Rescue Committee's virtual reality experience (scroll down to see the VR embedded in the linked article).    

Rania Abou is a 19-year-old refugee from Syria living in Roselle, New Jersey. An artist who dreams of becoming an engineer, she is currently working for the International Rescue Committee and World Central Kitchen in Elizabeth, New Jersey, helping give out food to people in need. “In the future, somebody will help me. It's like a circle.

Eight months since borders closed across the Balkan route, leaving tens of thousands stranded across Europe, refugees have no choice but to live in conditions that are not ready for winter: unheated tents, warehouses, and unfinished or abandoned buildings. These photos by an IRC partner in Serbia show young Afghans huddling together for warmth in a disused warehouse in Belgrade.

After fleeing violence in Iraq with her young family, Taghreed had trouble coping with life as a refugee. "Do something you love," suggested her mother. So Taghreed started baking, finding comfort in the familiar scents of spices from home. The IRC helped her begin a baking career, and now she works at a popular pastry shop near where she lives in Seattle. Her son Yousif says he's proud of his courageous mom.

For the first time, this Iranian refugee is celebrating Christmas in America. He put up a Christmas tree, holiday lights and is hopeful for a brighter future. Amir Biazar was a journalist and human rights activist in Iran for over ten years. Because of his work, he was detained three times and tortured. While in prison, his teeth, legs, and shoulders were broken.

A Syrian mother stopping with her family on the island of Lesbos, Greece — one of more than half a million desperate people who have fled to Europe this year from countries in chaos.

Actress Sarah Wayne Callies traveled with the International Rescue Committee to Serbia where she met with refugees. In this video, she shares a personal story about her grandfather’s journey as a refugee fleeing from Hungary in the early 1920s. Read more about Sarah’s trip on Medium.

Marathoners, bakers, teachers—refugees are all of those things and so much more. But human beings above all. At the IRC, we never, ever give up on refugees. Watch and share if you, too, #StandWithRefugees.