On World Refugee Day 2017, the world faces massive humanitarian crises in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and beyond. More than 65 million men, women, and children are displaced today – the largest number since World War II. These historic and multiple refugee crises come at a time when countries are retreating from long-standing humanitarian commitments, closing their doors to millions seeking refuge.
Impact of Proposed U.S. Funding Cuts on Refugees
The only response to World Refugee Day 2017 is urgent action, as we face proposed Trump administration funding cuts of 32 percent to the international affairs budget. Such drastic slashes to humanitarian and development assistance as well as peacekeeping and international organizations at this time of unprecedented global need is incomprehensible. Should these cuts be implemented, the impacts on the most vulnerable populations will be devastating and, unfortunately, deadly.
Elena’s Hope for Refugees and Immigrants
Elena Kvochko recently hiked more than 18,300 feet up Mount Everest as part of a charity challenge to raise awareness for displaced individuals and refugees. Here she recounts her journey and what inspired her to support RI’s work.
On World Refugee Day, More Action is needed on Climate-Related Displacement
War and conflict are no longer the primary drivers of displacement and humanitarian crises. More extreme weather and other climate change impacts are increasingly playing a role. In 2016 alone, 24 million people were forced from their homes by weather-related disasters, far more than were displaced by conflict. Meanwhile, more frequent and protracted droughts, especially in poor and unstable countries in Africa and the Middle East, are undermining food security, causing people to migrate in order to survive, and fueling pre-existing social and ethnic tensions.
Desperately Close to his Homeland, a Rohingya Refugee Reflects on 18 years of Exile
Refugees International’s (RI) 2015 Richard Holbrooke Award Winner Tun Khin traveled recently with RI’s Senior Advocate for Human Rights Dan Sullivan to Bangladesh to visit Rohingya refugees who fled from Myanmar (also called Burma). In this guest blog, Tun Khin shares his thoughts on the experience of being within sight of his homeland and what motivates him to continue to fight on behalf of his fellow Rohingya.
The Case Against Refugee Camps
Throughout the 20th century, it was a common and largely uncontested practice for refugees to be placed in camps when they arrived in their country of asylum. The advantages of this arrangement appeared to be self-evident. However, alternatives to camps must be pursued as a global principle, while the provision of appropriate support to refugees in urban centers and rural host communities must be guaranteed.
Makeshift Living: Rohingya Refugees Struggle to Survive in Bangladesh
Refugees International (RI) traveled to Bangladesh in May 2017, visiting the makeshift settlements for Rohingya refugees who have fled from neighboring Myanmar. More than 70,000 Rohingya have fled severe human rights abuses by the Myanmar military since October 2016, joining as many as 500,000 estimated Rohingya who have come to Bangladesh during decades of persecution…
Will G7 Leaders in Sicily think of lives lost in the Mediterranean?
This week, the leaders of seven of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful nations will meet in Taormina, Italy, for this year’s G7 summit.The leaders of the U.S., the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, and the EU will attend the meeting on the Sicilian coast. As they marvel at the beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea, will they think of the men, women and children who put their lives in the hands of ruthless smugglers to reach Italy’s shores?
A Bold (If Not So New) Idea for President Trump’s Visit to Saudi Arabia
As the U.S. president prepares to depart on his first international trip, including a visit to Saudi Arabia, there is no better time to press the Saudi government to do much more to address the enormous humanitarian needs in Yemen.
American Attitudes on Refugees and the U.S. Travel Ban
In a new survey, a Brookings Nonresident Senior Fellow and Sadat Chair for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland Shibley Telhami outlines American public attitudes towards the pending U.S. travel ban, refugees, and the Muslim religion.