How should world tackle refugee crisis?
As world leaders gather in New York for a major UN summit on the refugee and migrant crisis, aid chiefs called on rich countries to shoulder their fair share of responsibility. Here humanitarian experts outline what they want to see:
FILIPPO GRANDI, UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES
The countries belonging to the richer world must recognise their responsibility to provide timely and dependable humanitarian funding while robustly investing in communities that host large numbers of refugees. Host countries should increase opportunities for refugee adults to work and children to go to school. All should undertake to address the drivers and triggers causing record numbers to flee.
JAN EGELAND, SECRETARY GENERAL NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL
Most importantly, we have to tackle the root causes of displacement. How come we find hundreds of billions to wage wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and elsewhere, and so little for diplomacy and development that prevent conflict? Secondly, we need a global framework where states share responsibility, and are held publicly accountable.
MALALA YOUSAFZAI, NOBEL LAUREATE, CO-FOUNDER MALALA FUND
Prime ministers and presidents have chosen 'survival' as their theme for refugee discussions this year. Why have they set the bar so low? We can no longer be satisfied with a world where fishing children from the ocean and bandaging their wounds represents the summit of our ambition for refugees. How long can a refugee girl be out of school before she is forced into an early marriage or child labour? Yet young refugees are future leaders on whom we will all depend for peace.
ANTHONY LAKE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UNICEF
We must pay attention to the children. Every day, the crisis gets worse for them. Worldwide, 50 million children have migrated across borders or been displaced within their own countries - 28 million uprooted by horrific conflicts. Without protection, nutrition or education, what can the future hold for these children - and thus for the future of their societies? But if they are accepted and protected today they can be a source of stability and economic progress.
LAURIE LEE, CEO CARE INTERNATIONAL
Governments must do more for women and girls. Many refugees are resorting to using dangerous routes, paying people smugglers, and using unsafe boats. Women are particularly vulnerable, as they are often responsible for children, and they are at risk of sexual exploitation. World leaders need to commit to providing additional safe and legal routes to claim asylum.
Comments