Imagine having to flee your home in a moment’s notice because of war, persecution or environmental disaster – leaving behind everything you own, with only what you can carry. Nearly 90 million people on earth have lived that nightmare – they are refugees. The rest haven’t crossed a border – they are internally displaced persons (IDPs). Refugees suffer some of the worst human rights violations, endure inhumane living conditions and experience debilitating forms of poverty. But they also bring dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit to their new home, as well as skills and experiences that can transform economies.
As the world’s most vulnerable people, refugees deserve an adequate response from their host countries. But the reality is that only a few countries take responsibility for most of the world’s refugees. This is unsustainable for low- and middle-income nations that are struggling to provide for their own populations.
The current system is based on a race to the bottom. The international community has lost sight of the basic principle underlying the 1951 Refugee Convention, that all states have a responsibility to protect refugees. As the world faces the most acute refugee crisis since the end of World War II, it’s time for a change. The first step is to fully fund appeals by humanitarian agencies, and provide sufficient support for governments that allow refugees to live in safety and dignity in their countries of asylum. This includes allowing freedom of movement and providing access to employment, education and social services.