The world’s system of protecting people who flee violence and conflict is broken. From Australia’s vast camps to South Sudan’s frozen streets to Europe’s barbed wire fences, this reality is evident everywhere. In the aftermath of World War II, global leaders agreed to safeguard the lives and rights of refugees by adopting the 1951 Refugee Convention and UN agencies like UNHCR. Yet today, the system’s promise is largely a dream.
The biggest problem is that the global community tends to treat refugees as a humanitarian disaster rather than as a people with rights, and this has long-term consequences. Providing the basic necessities to displaced populations can be expensive and complex, especially in countries prone to conflict, instability, and insecurity. Creating conditions that make it safe for people to return home also requires significant resources and is often neglected. And when temporary situations become permanent, it can fuel scapegoating and manipulation that can undermine efforts to address the root causes of displacement.
The international community needs to build a new model for responding to large movements of people. It should focus on promoting sustainable and durable solutions that allow refugees to rebuild their lives in their host country or, if not possible, in their countries of origin. This is best achieved by addressing the conditions that forced them to flee, such as violence and political persecution. Providing access to legal status and rights is also essential. This will help prevent refugees from being exploited in the so-called “grey economy” or targeted for sexual exploitation and other abuses.