STATELESS, forced out by conflict, climate crises and persecution, refugees are seared in the global mindscape as images of pain — scores piled up in frail boats, desperate humanity falling off planes in Afghanistan and thousands crammed in squalid hutments in cities. While some, such as Palestinians, have been refugees for generations, more recent conflicts have also forced Ukrainians, Sudanese and Syrians to flee and Rohingya and Afghans to escape persecution. As World Refugee Day, being observed today, focuses on “hope away from home”, the UN reports 110m people have faced forced displacement — a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by conflict in Ukraine and Sudan. According to WHO, over 8m left Ukraine since early 2022 and more than 3.6m Syrians reside in Turkiye.

Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to play host to multitudes of Afghan refugees — 1.29m were registered in March 2022 and the unregistered may be a staggering 5m — for decades after the Soviet invasion. Additionally, our internal displacements propelled by extremist attacks and climate calamities pose Herculean challenges. However, at least on paper, the internally displaced are not deprived of rights. In contrast, refugees are seen as encroachers. As a majority reside in developing countries, scarce resources keep them from becoming assets. Therefore, integration is as tormenting as fleeing home — from language, healthcare and financial barriers to acute entitlement deficit. So there’s little doubt that the developed world, especially the US, must establish collaborative frameworks to encourage support and ownership, as well as make room for migrants often evicted by Western blitzes. Amnesty International, WHO, UNHCR and their ilk should step in to bring down the walls of privilege for the safety of persecuted people and host countries. Until then, pledges by US are placebo for an emergency of fateful proportions. For as long as their well-being, skill, assimilation and vitality are at stake, doors will close on them as is being increasingly seen in Turkiye and India.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2023