Every day, families across the globe are forced from their homes and into dangerous situations. Some become refugees in another country, others migrate to escape back-breaking poverty and still others are displaced within their own borders. The refugee crisis is the result of public policies that put families in harm’s way. This often happens because host states are overwhelmed and impoverished and cannot offer adequate protection to displaced people. They may also lack the political will to implement effective policies that respect international legal principles of refugee protection.
Protracted conflicts, rising levels of violence and poor governance in home countries lead to displacement. Those conditions also make it more difficult for refugees to return home once the conflict has ended. As a result, refugee numbers have reached a twenty-year high.
The refugee crisis is further exacerbated by the lack of adequate resources in host countries to support refugees, especially those from wealthier countries. In addition, many displaced people are denied access to basic services like education and adequate food, water and shelter. This deteriorates their mental and physical health, increasing the risk of diseases like malnutrition and pneumonia.
The refugee crisis also increases when refugees are denied freedom of movement, rights to work and the right to access essential services. This can aggravate tensions between communities and lead to the perception that refugees are a threat to security and social stability. Moreover, the risks of destabilization are increased when refugee populations share ethnic or religious characteristics with local population groups that are in conflict with each other.
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