Across the world, people are forced to leave their homes and flee for many different reasons. They may be persecuted for their race, religion or political opinion, or flee as a result of war and economic/political instability, severe food insecurity or lack of access to health care and education. Humanitarian emergencies triggered by natural disasters or climate change also require international protection.
The number of people displaced globally is at its highest level since World War II. A combination of conflict, violence, poor governance and climate change is driving the unprecedented crisis. This is resulting in growing numbers of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and asylum seekers.
Early responses to refugee crises usually address functional and logistical issues such as meeting basic needs, while a lack of focus on the root causes of displacement leads to scapegoating and manipulation, increasing the risk of destabilization and conflict. Refugee camps tend to become overcrowded and a major concern in international negotiations becomes how to manage the “excess” people produced by the conflict, overshadowing efforts to address the conflict itself.
Currently, only a few countries – including some of the world’s largest economies – take responsibility for most refugees. We must break down the barriers to greater solidarity and ensure that all countries, rich and poor, share in responsibility. It’s time to stop the race to the bottom. By supporting refugees and promoting solutions that are fair and effective, we can help to turn this global emergency around.