Refugee movements - Global scale and causes Flashcards
Definition of a refugee?
UNHCR, “people fleeing conflict or persecution. They are defined and protected in international law, and must not be expelled or returned to situations where their life and freedom are at risk”
What are the main drivers of the global refugee crisis?
War and civil war, human rights violations, environment and climate issues, and economic hardship.
Example of Refugee movements
Syrias decade of civil war. The UN estimates that 13.5million Syrians have been forcibly displaced since 2011, more than Half of the country’s pre-war population of 22million: 6.7 million have displaced within Syria and 6.8million have sought refuge abroad. Turkey has received the most refugees- 3.6million.
Example of Refugee movement-Climate change/Natural Hazards
Natural disasters displaced three times as many people as war in 2013- with 22million people driven out their homes by floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
80% of Displacement from Natural disasters happens in Asia.
Typhoon Haiyan alone displaced some 4.1million,
This as a result had negative impacts socially (Families split up –> concern for mental health as people leave their home) and economically (businesses were no longer open –> less tax for the government –> less funding and investment –> loss of financial stability). Furthermore, some aid was not able to reach the people affected by the natural disaster, less aid meant that peoples lives were at even greater risk.
Example of refugee movement - Geopolitical
The way Africa and the Middle East were divided up by colonising powers with scant/no regard for ethnic/religious affiliations.
- the division of these areas can provoke refugee movement as it may cause religious conflicts due to the diversity
Superpower involvement that some argue is motivated by energy security considerations
-Superpowers may encourage refugee movement due to partnerships built with countries
-Neo-colonial strategies may also encourage refugee movement as the colonial country may have the same culture.
What are land grabs?
Where governments, MNCs, etc acquire extensive areas of land for their own purposes leading to local people having to leave (voluntarily or forcibly).
Example of Refugee movements - Economic injustice
Ethiopia - Ethiopia is forcibly relocating 70,000 people from Gambella to make fertile land available for foreign investment in agriculture – aggravating current hunger while laying the ground work for future famine in Ethiopia, as people are losing their livelihoods and being moved to areas where they cannot readily feed themselves
Example of Refugee movement - Economic injustice - indigenous people
-The Gibe ||| dam and sugarcane plantations In southwest Ethiopia caused the migration of indigenous people that once lived there.
People were pressured to give up pastoralism and abandon their way of life for sedentary lifestyles. However res
- Communities allege being tricked into leaving their ancestral land by the government’s false assurances of a controlled flood to compensate for the loss.
- Plots are not big enough to feed families, ripened crops have been ploughed over, communities. have been forced to fig their own irrigation canals under perilous conditions.
-the damn has also blocked the annual flooding of the Omo river which has affected their agricultural land and therefore there ability to provide food.
Local violence and rape has increased.
Definition of internally displaced people (IDP)?
IDPs are forced to flee their homes just like refugees, however, IDPs stay within their own country and remain under the protection of its government
