World Wide Refugee Crisis

by Tim Wichert
Refugee Assistance

Every day, around the world, thousands of people become refugees. They flee their homes because of an ongoing cycle of war, conflict, human rights abuse and persecution. There are an estimated 15 million refugees worldwide. Most find refuge in neighbouring countries, hoping for the day they can return home. Some are fortunate enough to be able to return home when their countries are safe and secure. For others, the best but bittersweet solution is a new life in a far off country, like Canada.

What causes people to flee? Human rights abuses are one of the main reasons. The official UN definition, which countries like Canada have adopted, includes people who are persecuted because of their nationality, race, political opinion, religion or because they belong to a "particular social group". Social group is a term which is flexible enough to include specific groups like trade unionists, or women who face particular abuse like rape because of their gender.

Persecution is often worse in the context of war and conflict. While some people are not specifically targeted, they are caught up in the violence of war. Violence becomes random. People flee because their lives are in danger. Some of the largest groups of refugees are from Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan and Sierra Leone. (The largest group is Palestinian refugees.)

Refugees are those who have crossed the border into another country. Many others cannot get out of their own country, and remain "internally displaced". Estimates suggest the number of internally displaced people around the world is 30 million.

Neighbouring countries usually bear the costs of these conflicts. Refugees naturally flee to the nearest safe haven. For example, countries like Iran and Kenya have traditionally hosted the largest numbers of refugees because of their proximity to countries in conflict. But countries that have traditionally been hospitable are increasingly calling for the burden to be shared.

Wealthy countries, including Canada and the USA, have an obligation to share these burdens. This includes financial assistance for the countries hosting the refugees. It includes political pressure and development assistance to improve conditions in the countries which refugees fled. Only with obvious improvements will refugees be interested in returning home.

Another long term solution is to offer resettlement in Canada. Each year, about 10,000 fortunate refugees are able to come to Canada through special sponsorship programs. Another 80,000 resettle in the USA. While these numbers are a small fraction of the millions forced to flee each year, it is still a significant number of people who are able to start life anew.

Together with thousands of others that manage to arrive at our borders to seek asylum, they hope for a brighter future for their children in a new land.

 

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