Updated November 23, 2015:
Following the attacks in Beirut and Paris, and the political debate that ensued, Ipsos Public Affairs – on behalf of World Vision – surveyed 1,006 U.S. adults on whether they were willing to help Syrian refugees. The results are practically unchanged from the survey conducted before the attacks – with 72 percent of Americans saying they are willing to help Syrian refugees moving forward (as opposed to 71 percent in the October survey).
Those unwilling to help Syrian refugees were asked as to their reasons why. Notable findings included:
- 69 percent state they think Americans should help people in the U.S. first (up from 58 percent in October)
- 41 percent fear many Syrian refugees are potential terrorists (up from 25 percent in October)
Ipsos conducted the survey online, in English, from November 18-19, 2015, on behalf of World Vision. For the survey, a sample of 1,006 adults over the age of 18 was interviewed online in English, to better gauge attitudes towards the Syrian refugee crisis. Weighting was employed to balance demographics and ensure the sample’s composition reflects that of the U.S. adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for all respondents (see link below for more info on Ipsos online polling “Credibility Intervals”). For more information about Ipsos online polling methodology, visit http://goo.gl/yJBkuf.
SEATTLE, WA (November 10, 2015) - This week, World Vision will release the findings of a poll that illuminates Americans’ willingness to respond to the refugee crisis caused by conflict in Syria.
The survey, conducted online by Ipsos Public Affairs October 6-7, focuses on the humanitarian crisis resulting from the Syrian conflict – rather than the related military or political issues – and asked whether Americans thought the crisis was important, if they had responded to it, if they were willing to respond in the future – and their reasons.
Key findings include:
- 67 percent of Americans rate the Syrian refugee crisis as somewhat or very important to them
- 71 percent of Americans state that they would be willing to help Syrian refugees in the future
- However, only 37 percent of Americans report that they have taken any action to help Syrian refugees – and of those, only 13 percent have donated cash or supplies.
The survey also asks whether respondents identify themselves as committed Christians. Among their responses:
- 44 percent of committed Christians have taken action to help Syrian refugees (as compared to 27 percent of non-Christians)
- 76 percent of committed Christians are willing to take future action to help Syrian refugees (as compared to 63 percent of non-Christians)
“As a Christian organization, passionate about helping the poor and oppressed, we’re encouraged to see the response of the American Church to this crisis,” said World Vision President, Richard Stearns. “Christians are, by-and-large, responding with compassion. Our hope is that they will now exercise that compassion and act on behalf of the millions who have had to flee their homes in the midst of horrendous violence.”
Fewer Christians than non-Christians cite an unwillingness to help Syrian refugees (24 percent of Christians say that they are unwilling to help Syrian refugees vs 37 percent of non-Christians). However, the reasons below are more prevalent among Christians, and pose a concern to World Vision:
- “I fear that many Syrian refugees are potential terrorists.” (34 percent of “unwilling” Christians cite this reason vs 17 percent of “unwilling” non-Christians)
- “I don’t want to help Muslims.” (22 percent of “unwilling Christians cite this reason vs 15 percent of “unwilling” non-Christians)
- “The problem is too big and ultimately un-solvable for me to make a difference.” (24 percent of “unwilling” Christians cite this reason vs 9 percent of “unwilling” non-Christians)
The overwhelming reason presented by Americans to explain their unwillingness to help Syrian refugees is, “I think Americans should help people in the U.S. first” – selected by a full 58 percent of respondents as why they are unwilling to help Syrian refugees. This response was similar across cited religious affiliations, with Christians (60 percent) slightly more likely to attribute their unwillingness to help refugees to a desire to prioritize domestic issues (compared to 57 percent of non-Christians).
“I am disappointed that the reasons some American Christians cite for refusing to respond to this crisis boil down to fear, lack of compassion for the stranger, and a failure to put faith into action,” said Stearns. “It’s critical that the Church see this humanitarian crisis as an opportunity to show the love of God to the people Jesus talks about the most: the poor, the hurting and the marginalized – wherever they live.”
Of the 4.3 million Syrian refugees accounted for, 4 million are living in Middle Eastern countries, the vast majority of them in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.
– END –
About the Survey:
Ipsos conducted the survey from October 6-7, 2015, on behalf of World Vision. For the survey, a sample of 1,004 adults over the age of 18 was interviewed online in English, to better gauge the awareness of, and attitudes towards, the Syrian refugee crisis. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure the sample’s composition reflects that of the U.S. adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for all respondents (see link below for more info on Ipsos online polling “Credibility Intervals”). Click for more information about Ipsos online polling methodology.
About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media or on Twitter @WorldVisionNews.
Highlights
- 69 percent state they think Americans should help people in the U.S. first (up from 58 percent in October)
- 41 percent fear many Syrian refugees are potential terrorists (up from 25 percent in October)