Refugees as assets

(MainsGS2:Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.)

Context:

• World Refugee Day is celebrated on June 20 to honour the courage and resilience of the 103 million individuals who have endured forced displacement due to conflicts and unrest worldwide. 

Promote solidarity:

• Global conflicts which include the ongoing wars in Ukraine, Myanmar and Sudan among others, and the protracted situations in Afghanistan, and Somalia present an unprecedented challenge. 
• Thus, this day is a reminder of our collective responsibility as global citizens and a call for engagement and empathy. 
• It is a day to promote solidarity between communities, and, most importantly, to reflect on the importance of welcoming refugees and displaced persons into our communities.

Our shared humanity:

• These crises extend to the South and Southeast Asia region also where many individuals have been uprooted from their homes.
• India is home to some 250,000 forcibly displaced persons, with women and children constituting half of that population. 
• India continues to graciously host and assist refugees and asylum-seekers within its territory which reflects its testament to our shared humanity. 
• The Government of India supports in generously hosting refugees throughout its history in a manner that deserves to be applauded and emulated.

Myriad of obstacles:

• Refugees and asylum seekers encounter a myriad of obstacles, such as legal recognition and challenges in obtaining government-issued documents, which hinder their access to essential services, including financial support and health care. 
• It is incumbent upon us to dismantle these barriers and ensure that they are afforded equal opportunities in employment, education, housing, and health care.
• Our efforts in creating an inclusive society must cater to the unique needs of refugee youth. 
• To ensure that truly no one is left behind, we should engage with and include youth, especially refugee youth, in the realisation of the Sustainable Development Agenda.

Collective action required:

• Addressing the rising number of the forcibly displaced is an urgent moral imperative that demands our collective action. 
• The Global Compact on Refugees acknowledges the magnitude of the displacement crisis and calls for solidarity through a whole of society approach. 
• It is built on the understanding that the responsibility towards the forcibly displaced is not limited to governments but extends to each one of us including individuals, the private sector, non-government organisations and community-based organisations. 
• It also recognises that the Global South is disproportionately affected and that host communities need assistance.

Conclusion:

• The Global Compact on Refugees strives to enhance the international response, support host countries, promote self-reliance, and explore long-term solutions such as resettlement and safe returns.
• Thus we need to embrace the principle of equitable burden-sharing and fulfil our responsibilities to refugees, ensuring their well-being and the well-being of their generous host communities. 
• By doing so, we can create a world where the potential of every refugee, such as Ahmed, can be realised, and where hope and opportunities abound for those in need.