Millions of people are currently displaced from their homes. Some are refugees and others are internally displaced (IDPs). Displacement is caused by conflict, natural disasters, or climate change. It is important to analyze the situation in each case to see what factors are driving it and to ensure that the right response is used.
Refugees need security, protection and economic opportunity. They do not need to return home, though this is often the best option if it is safe and feasible. Resettlement is one way to give displaced people the opportunity to start over, but it is costly and requires the consent of wealthier states. Local integration is also a solution, but it can be challenging for refugees who have lived in exile for long periods of time. Providing them with freedom of movement, access to the labour market, and education is critical to their well-being. This reduces tensions, prevents them from relying on a distorted informal economy and criminal networks, and contributes to local economies.
Host-state security and refugee protection are closely linked. Policy-makers often misunderstand this and treat them as unrelated or even opposing factors. Measures that are designed to bolster state security, such as confining refugees in far-flung camps and restricting legal employment, undermine refugee protection and create resentment. It is important to avoid manipulation of displaced people for political gain. This is particularly critical in host states that have a long history of conflict and instability.
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