For the first time in history, more people than ever are displaced from their homes. Around the world, men, women, and children are fleeing conflict or extreme poverty – often both – in search of a safer, more sustainable life. Whether they are refugees formally recognized by the UN or people living in “refugee-like situations” outside the refugee convention, many will need to cross borders to find safety and shelter.
The cause of their displacement is usually a war or natural disaster, but climate change also contributes to refugee flows by increasing the frequency and severity of floods, earthquakes, and droughts. These human-made calamities may not qualify as refugee situations under international law, but they can lead to severe deprivation and make people vulnerable to violence, which would otherwise have no reason to cross borders.
While the root causes of displacement are complex, there are a number of concrete steps that can be taken to alleviate the crisis. First, rich nations need to increase their refugee resettlement rates and support the efforts of poor countries to protect their people. Second, xenophobia must be stopped and governments must invest in ensuring the safety of migrants and refugees by investigating and prosecuting trafficking gangs that exploit them. Finally, governments should open up safe routes to sanctuary so that refugees can reunite with their families without having to spend their life savings on dangerous journeys and risking their lives in the process.
About the Author
