The world is experiencing one of the largest waves of internal displacement since World War II. Children, women and men flee their homes for a variety of reasons, including conflict and war, hunger, persecution because of their gender or sexual orientation, climate change and natural disasters.
The number of people displaced globally has risen to the highest level on record. This is partly due to ongoing crisis in Syria, South Sudan and Myanmar. But many factors contribute to this growing phenomenon, such as destabilization in the country of first asylum, limited legal protection and lack of opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, which result in increased vulnerability to violence and desperation.
Resettling refugees in a new place is one way to address these challenges. However, this can be very difficult for refugee families and isn’t always possible. Moreover, it can lead to renewed displacement as governments may restrict or limit their rights. In some situations, refugees are even forced to return to a country where they could face serious human rights abuses.
Fortunately, there are other options for refugee resettlement, such as local integration and community sponsorship. Community sponsorship is a form of humanitarian aid whereby local communities come together to raise money to support and welcome displaced people into their community. It can also be a powerful vehicle for changing perceptions of refugees in our societies.