Challenges Facing The World
Countries all around the world are helping refugees by welcoming them into their homes and providing them with protection and aid so that they can live the lives they want to live. However, there are many challenges that face the governments of the world as they are under pressure to stabilize the situation and contribute. The examples below are a few of the many challenges that they must overcome.
Scale Of The Crisis
The number of displaced persons around the world has risen to nearly 80 million, demonstrating the scale of the refugee crisis. There are practical challenges in dealing with the sheer volume of incoming refugees, especially due to the fact that the majority of refugees go to the same 15 or so countries. “Equitable, predictable and sustainable” responsibility sharing across states is something that is constantly being worked towards.
Europe in particular is a country that receives thousands of asylum seekers by the Mediterranean Sea, and the UNHCR estimated 1,028 feared refugee drownings in 2019 as of September. Greece is a common refugee reception center due to its location, and in the past, islands have struggled to transfer refugees to the mainland due to a lack of facilities and the large influx of refugees. The number of refugees and displaced persons increases as violence and human rights violations increase, making it difficult for states to host refugees while keeping in mind overcrowding possibilities.
Overcrowding in refugee camps for example is a growing worry due to the lack of sanitation during the spread of COVID-19. In some facilities, isolation areas are being set up, and public health messages are being spread, however the volume of people in facilities makes it quite difficult for social distancing to be maintained, and a lack of stable health systems for some creates more challenges.
Europe in particular is a country that receives thousands of asylum seekers by the Mediterranean Sea, and the UNHCR estimated 1,028 feared refugee drownings in 2019 as of September. Greece is a common refugee reception center due to its location, and in the past, islands have struggled to transfer refugees to the mainland due to a lack of facilities and the large influx of refugees. The number of refugees and displaced persons increases as violence and human rights violations increase, making it difficult for states to host refugees while keeping in mind overcrowding possibilities.
Overcrowding in refugee camps for example is a growing worry due to the lack of sanitation during the spread of COVID-19. In some facilities, isolation areas are being set up, and public health messages are being spread, however the volume of people in facilities makes it quite difficult for social distancing to be maintained, and a lack of stable health systems for some creates more challenges.
Public Opinion
Countries around the world have different opinions on refugees and migrants, and within countries, citizens can be very divided. The integration of refugees in societies can become very difficult when there are negative public views on refugees. As a result, they may not be accepted in various jobs, housing complexes, or schools, which can put refugees in a difficult situation and create further economic challenges for the host country. As well as this, the situations in which refugees arrive in host countries can be very straining, and many come from vulnerable situations, so having a welcoming environment to move into is an integral part of refugee reception.
In some countries, anti- immigration policies are advertised in politics in order to appeal to more conservative people and opinions, and we can see how the acceptance and integration of refugees has become more difficult through this. Even countries who have a more welcoming approach to refugees and who have won voters through a balanced approach have found public opinions challenging to maintain.
In some countries, anti- immigration policies are advertised in politics in order to appeal to more conservative people and opinions, and we can see how the acceptance and integration of refugees has become more difficult through this. Even countries who have a more welcoming approach to refugees and who have won voters through a balanced approach have found public opinions challenging to maintain.
Financial Cost
There is a large financial cost involved with taking in refugees, as host countries must support them by providing housing, protection, health, and other services including ones that go towards the integration of refugees. Large numbers of refugees, especially if the host country’s financial situation is not entirely stable, can be very difficult to take in. As well as this, depending on the situations in which they arrive in the country, refugees may require long-term support and hence more financial support.
As mentioned above under “Public Opinion”, if there is a negative reception of refugees in a host country, it can make it more difficult for them to earn an income and hence give back to the economy of the host country. However, depending on work policies in host countries, a large percent of refugees can become employed and hence benefit the host economy as well as provide for themselves and their families.
As mentioned above under “Public Opinion”, if there is a negative reception of refugees in a host country, it can make it more difficult for them to earn an income and hence give back to the economy of the host country. However, depending on work policies in host countries, a large percent of refugees can become employed and hence benefit the host economy as well as provide for themselves and their families.
