Millions of people around the world are fleeing home because of violence and human rights abuses. They are seeking safe haven and a better life. The refugee crisis is the result of a complex set of circumstances including conflict, climate change and extreme poverty, often with a disproportionate impact on women and children.
Conflict and conflict-related factors are the main drivers of mass displacement, though hunger and climate-related shocks also play a major role. They are linked because a lack of food, water and security is both an immediate threat to human lives and an important motivation for people to leave their homes.
When people are forced to flee, they often have little choice but to seek refuge in a neighbouring country. This can lead to a situation of protracted displacement, in which people remain displaced long after the end of an armed conflict. This is one reason that the global refugee population is now at a twenty-year high, and why the humanitarian system is struggling to respond effectively.
Many of the reasons why refugees are not able to return home – including insecurity, discrimination, and restrictions on accessing services – can be addressed. But tackling them requires the courage to change policy and practice. A new approach is needed to help refugees reach their full potential, whether they are in refugee camps or in a host community. For example, cash assistance is a more effective way to improve the lives of refugees than handouts of food and tents. It helps them make their scarce resources go further, and has been shown to increase school attendance and lower the risk of child labour and recruitment into armed groups.