The world faces a refugee crisis unlike any since the end of World War II. Conflicts and natural disasters exacerbated by climate change are pushing people to flee their homes, often across international borders. In the process, they lose their lives, their livelihoods and sometimes their families – including children – as well as the support of their nuclear and extended family networks. They also experience ongoing trauma from past experiences and the pressures of a new environment, such as restrictive access to services, lack of employment opportunities and host society attitudes that can erode their sense of belonging and social identity.
Refugees suffer severe deprivation, with nine out of ten living in poverty. They often struggle to find safe work, are unable to legally settle and are at heightened risk of violence, especially gender-based violence. They also face barriers to receiving adequate healthcare, education and basic services. And because they do not belong to a state, refugees are rarely recognised as full citizens with rights and protections.
The international community’s response to the refugee crisis must focus on local integration and resettlement, which allow refugees to voluntarily re-establish their lives in third countries – away from a situation of protracted displacement and towards a more stable future. Wealthy nations need to increase their generosity and stop competing for the smallest share of the world’s refugees, while developing countries must commit to taking on a greater burden and address root causes of conflict and displacement.