Every day, children and families around the world are forced to leave their homes. They’re fleeing war, hunger, extreme poverty, or persecution for their sexuality or political views. They’re looking for safe places to rebuild their lives. But for most of them, there’s no quick fix to end their displacement. They are often stuck in camps, with little access to clean water and adequate health care. Some are rejected by their host countries or are sent back to countries where violence and human rights abuses are still common.
Many host states express concerns that large refugee populations are a source of regional instability. They argue that the presence of refugees can spark tensions among the local population or between the host and refugee-sending state, or exacerbate existing ethnic, religious, or political divisions within the country. Furthermore, host states are concerned that they cannot meet the needs of their own citizens while also providing for refugee populations. This, in turn, can fuel frustrations with international donors and political leaders.
The global response to these challenges must be holistic and multifaceted. It must put the protection and human dignity of refugees at its core, while also helping them to thrive in their new home. Ultimately, it should help resolve the conflict and violence that drives large-scale displacement in the first place.