A refugee crisis is a situation that characterized by difficulty and danger in the reception of large groups of forcibly displaced people (such as refugees, internally displaced persons or asylum seekers). Conflicts and war are the main reasons for displacement but hunger, poverty, and persecution for issues such as sexual orientation also trigger massive movements. As of the end of 2024, there were 42.7 million refugees globally — this includes 31 million people protected by the UN agency for refugees, UNHCR.
Displacement is often a long, complicated and inconvenient process. The rights of displaced people are guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. However, refugee flows can be abused by states and non-state actors seeking to achieve political or security goals. This type of exploitation is called weaponized migration.
As the number of displaced people grows, governments must address the humanitarian and security concerns caused by this situation. However, it is difficult for them to deal with the issue of the root causes of the crisis when limited resources are available. This can lead to scapegoating and manipulation of the refugee population, which increases the risk of destabilization in the country of origin.
As the world struggles with the largest numbers of refugees ever recorded, wealthy nations must increase their support and responsibility. We must also focus on local integration and resettlement, which allows refugees to start a new life in another country.
