79.5 million forcibly displaced people
More than ever in history
Refugees are people forced to flee their home countries to seek safety from fear of persecution or death. They often have to wait long periods of time in uncertainty because many governments are decreasing the number of resettlement places offered. Meanwhile they are usually not allowed to work or study while they await the processing of their cases. They often suffer the effects of trauma and separation, with insufficient protection frameworks to adequately address their mental and physical rehabilitation.
The challenge
Refugees are increasingly used to polarise societal opinion & limit integration.
Refugees are too often perceived as incapable and vulnerable; as a burden and a drain on host countries.
Top-down service-delivery lacks consultation on needs,
& creates dependency.
Refugees are not given ownership and decision-making rights, and their skills and ideas go unutilised.
The lack of communication & coordination leads to inefficiency.
The offered assistance is unable to meet demands, creating helplessness, confusion, and mistrust.
