Millions of people have fled their homes to escape violence, war or other disasters. Many have crossed borders to seek safety, while others are displaced within their own countries. The number of refugees and internally displaced people is at a twenty-year high.
Refugee crises can be complex, with many factors that affect people’s ability to find protection and to rebuild their lives. The organization of refugee settlements, for example, can influence security. The setting of camps in remote or inhospitable locations can contribute to a sense of isolation, which can increase the vulnerability of refugees to conflict and crime. The way a host government treats refugees can also have important security implications. Measures meant to reduce host-state destabilization can backfire by impoverishing and isolating refugee communities and engendering resentment.
Large-scale displacement is often entangled with regional conflict and political issues. The plight of refugees and IDPs can exacerbate concerns about the impact of their migration on stability and security, particularly in neighboring states. For instance, Syria’s refugee crisis has spillover effects that have exacerbated tensions in Lebanon and Turkey.
All countries must investigate and prosecute trafficking gangs that exploit migrants and refugees, and put people’s lives above all else. They must also combat all forms of xenophobia and discrimination, which can be dangerous and fuel hatred against foreigners. Finally, they must share responsibility for displaced people by increasing the number of refugees they accept. Wealthy countries – especially in Europe and the United States – should stop refusing to take their fair share of refugees, and instead increase funding and aid for the region.
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