The world’s systems for protecting refugees are struggling to keep up with the scale of displacement caused by conflict, natural disasters, and human-made calamities. Many people flee because of persecution, violence, or extreme socio-economic deprivation, and they need international protection to rebuild their lives. The number of displaced people has reached its highest ever level.
Displacement is often entwined in regional conflict and politics, so refugee communities become a source of concern about potential instability. When host governments are worried about political destabilization, they may curtail refugee protection. This is particularly likely when refugees share ethnic or religious characteristics with local populations in conflict and could potentially unsettle the political balance of the state.
In addition, the organization of refugee settlements and the conditions within them can also influence the risk of violence and destabilization. For example, concentrating refugees in areas with strong community ties can create identity-based segregation, and focusing on rapid integration can cause them to be funneled into low-paying jobs rather than into sectors that match their skills.
At Oxfam, we believe that wealthy countries have a responsibility to welcome and support refugees, and we call on governments across the world to increase their funding of refugee aid. We also advocate for policies that respect the rights of displaced people, including challenging laws and practices that deprive them of their right to asylum and resettlement. We are fighting to defend the rights of people seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border, and are suing the Trump administration over its expulsions of families with children and other anti-refugee policies.