Millions of people around the world seek to build new lives in a different country because they have been forced to flee violence and persecution for reasons like their ethnicity, religion, sexuality or political opinion. Others are escaping from human-made calamities such as severe socio-economic deprivation, natural disasters or climate change. Refugees, who are often the most vulnerable, must endure a harrowing journey across borders that can be even more dangerous than their original home.
Displacement crises are almost always entwined with regional conflict and security issues that make it difficult to host large refugee populations. Many policy-makers see host state security and refugee protection as unrelated – or even opposing – factors, but the truth is that if refugees are not adequately protected, it is less likely that they will be able to rebuild their lives safely.
Most countries with refugee populations rely on outside aid to provide the bare necessities of life, including shelter and food. But when wealthy states treat refugees as their problem, they may obstruct efforts to help them, making it more difficult to solve the crisis.
The world’s refugee crisis won’t be solved by governments alone, but ordinary people can do their part to help. You can donate money to support those in need, and talk to friends and family about how you can make a difference. You can also get involved in community sponsorship – a way for local communities to raise funds to resettle refugee families and individuals who have been forced to flee their homes.