Millions of people worldwide are displaced, fleeing their homes because of conflict and violence. The number of refugees today is at a twenty-year high. In many cases, the protracted nature of conflicts leads to internal displacement that can last for years. This is why we need more efforts and resources to increase local integration and the opportunity for refugee resettlement.
Resettling in a new country is a lifeline to a safe, sustainable future. It enables people to develop self-reliance and contribute to their host communities. Local integration is also an effective way to reduce the risk of exploitation, gender-based violence and other threats faced by displaced people. Unfortunately, governments often restrict or manipulate this option to benefit themselves. This is especially true in countries that have experienced civil war, when they fear destabilization and the loss of their own national identity.
The international community needs a holistic approach that addresses both the humanitarian crisis and the root causes of displacement. Addressing only one is a recipe for failure, especially when political efforts undermine humanitarian goals. For example, refugee return programs relying on voluntary returns to conflict zones are often a waste of resources because the return does not lead to peace; rather, it simply relocates the conflict. Similarly, efforts to support economic opportunities for refugees can be beneficial in the long run, but only if they are not driven by politics and do not violate the principle of non-discrimination.