By Mike Rakow, Psy.D.
As we reflect on world events, we have an opportunity to better understand the current
state of refugees and internally displaced people (IDP) crises worldwide. We can make a difference if we educate ourselves on these issues, understand their relevance to the United States, and consider ways in which we might contribute to humanitarian efforts.
Current State of Global Displacement
The scale of global displacement has reached unprecedented levels. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, 2024a), the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has surpassed 114 million as of 2023, with projections indicating an even higher figure for 2024. This includes refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons fleeing conflict, persecution, and natural disasters.
Key Regions and Crises
Ukraine Conflict: The war in Ukraine continues to have a significant impact on displacement. As of early 2024, an estimated 3.7 million people are internally displaced within Ukraine, while 6.3 million have sought refuge abroad. Humanitarian needs remain enormous, with 14.6 million people inside Ukraine requiring multisectoral assistance (UNHCR, 2024b).
Middle East: The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in massive displacement and a dire humanitarian situation. The crisis has led to more than 38,000 deaths and significant internal displacement, with hospitals running out of fuel and essential services collapsing (UNRWA, 2024).
Syria: The Syrian refugee crisis remains one of the largest globally, with Syrian refugees constituting nearly 25% of the world’s refugee population (UNHCR, 2024a).
Africa: The continent accounts for about 46% of the world’s internally displaced people, with countries like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo facing severe humanitarian challenges (Norwegian Refugee Council, 2024).
Impact on Global Economy and Development
The refugee crisis has far-reaching economic implications. International remittances, a crucial lifeline for many developing nations, have seen a remarkable increase. From 2000 to 2022, remittances grew by over 650%, rising from $128 billion to $831 billion. Of this, $647 billion was sent by migrants to low- and middle-income countries, surpassing foreign direct investment in these nations (World Bank, 2024).
Why This Matters to Americans
- Global Stability: Refugee crises can lead to regional instability, affecting international security and economic markets, which directly impact American interests (US Department of State, 2024).
- Humanitarian Leadership: The United States has historically been a leader in humanitarian assistance. Maintaining this role aligns with American values and enhances the country’s global influence (International Rescue Committee, 2024).
- Economic Contributions: Legal refugees and immigrants have consistently contributed to America’s economic and cultural fabric, driving innovation and growth (International Rescue Committee, 2024).
- International Obligations: As a signatory to various international agreements, the US has commitments to uphold regarding refugee protection and assistance (US Department of State, 2024).
US Legal Refugee Asylum Process
The United States has a well-defined legal process for admitting refugees and granting asylum, ensuring that those who seek protection do so through lawful means. The US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) is designed to identify and admit individuals who have been persecuted or fear persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group (US Citizenship and Immigration Services [USCIS], 2024).
Steps in the Refugee Asylum Process
- Referral and Application: Refugees must receive a referral to USRAP for consideration. This involves filling out an application and being interviewed abroad by a USCIS officer who determines eligibility for resettlement (USCIS, 2024).
- Admission and Employment: Upon admission to the United States, refugees receive a Form I-94 with a refugee admission stamp and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), allowing them to work legally in the US immediately (USCIS, 2024).
- Permanent Residency: Refugees must apply for a Green Card one year after arriving in the US. This process involves filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with no associated fees for refugees (USCIS, 2024).
- Family Reunification: Refugees can file Form I-730 to petition for their spouse and unmarried children under 21 to join them in the US, provided the petition is filed within two years of their arrival (USCIS, 2024).
Addressing Illegal Immigration
The pressures of humanitarian crises, wars, and unstable government/economic systems sometimes leads those who are uninformed or unable to access proper channels to consider engaging in high-risk illegal migrations across international borders. Illegal immigration places a significant strain on US legal systems, border security, and social programs. The fiscal impact of illegal immigration includes costs related to healthcare, education, and law enforcement, which often exceed the taxes paid by undocumented immigrants (US Department of State, 2024). This strain underscores the importance of addressing humanitarian crises at their sources to reduce the compulsion for people to violate immigration laws to escape crisis zones.
How Individual Americans Can Help
Americans have access to numerous ways to contribute to alleviating the refugee and IDP crises. The following are a few specific actions and organizations to consider:
- Financial Support
The UNHCR projects a funding shortfall of $8.5 billion for humanitarian programs in 2024 (UNHCR, 2024a). Donations to reputable organizations can make a significant impact. Just a few of the organizations you may want to consider contributing to include:
- Lutheran World Relief: Provides emergency relief and long-term development support in more than 50 countries. (https://lwr.org/)
- International Rescue Committee (IRC): Offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. (https://www.rescue.org/)
- UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency works in 135 countries to protect and assist refugees, returnees, internally displaced and stateless people. (https://www.unhcr.org/)
- Doctors Without Borders (MSF): Provides medical assistance to people in crisis situations, including refugees and IDPs. (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/)
- Red Cross: Offers humanitarian aid worldwide, including support for refugees and displaced persons. (https://www.icrc.org/ or https://www.ifrc.org/)
- Norwegian Refugee Council: Provides assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. (https://www.nrc.no/)
- Headington Institute: Supports humanitarian aid workers through training, counseling, and resources. (https://headington-institute.org/)
- Advocacy
Engaging with elected officials to support refugee-friendly legislation and policies is crucial (International Rescue Committee, 2024). Consider:
- Joining advocacy campaigns organized by the Refugee Council USA (RCUSA), a coalition of NGOs focused on refugee protection.
- Participating in local town halls and writing to your representatives about refugee issues.
- Supporting organizations like the National Immigration Forum, which advocates for sound immigration policies.
- Professional Skills
American professionals can offer their expertise in various ways:
- Legal Professionals: Provide pro bono services for asylum seekers through organizations like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
- Healthcare Workers: Volunteer with organizations like HealthRight International, which provides healthcare to displaced populations.
- Business Leaders: Create job opportunities and mentorship programs for legal refugees and immigrants. The Tent Partnership for Refugees connects businesses with opportunities to support refugees.
- Educators: Volunteer with organizations like Upwardly Global, which helps skilled immigrants and refugees rebuild their careers in the US.
- Community Engagement
Volunteering locally can significantly aid refugee integration:
- Resettlement Agencies: Organizations like Church World Service and HIAS offer volunteer opportunities to help refugees settle into their new communities.
- Language Support: Volunteer as an English tutor through programs like Literacy Minnesota’s ESL services.
- Mentorship: Programs like the International Rescue Committee’s Youth Mentoring program pair volunteers with refugee youth to provide guidance and support.
- Awareness and Education
Educating others about refugee issues helps combat misinformation and fosters a more welcoming environment:
- Host or attend awareness events organized by USA for UNHCR.
- Share accurate information from reputable sources like the Migration Policy Institute.
- Support refugee-led organizations like the Refugee Congress, which amplifies refugee voices in policy discussions.
The ongoing and emerging refugee and IDP crises in 2024 present significant challenges but also opportunities for Americans to make a meaningful impact. By understanding the scope of these crises, recognizing their importance to US interests, and taking actionable steps to help, we can contribute to alleviating human suffering and fostering global stability while also addressing the root causes of displacement to reduce illegal immigration pressures.
By raising awareness and supporting reputable aid organizations, Americans can make a meaningful difference in providing support and solutions for the world’s most vulnerable populations of refugees and IDPs. Even small actions and contributions have a significant impact when combined with the efforts of others.
References
Doctors Without Borders. (2024). Our work. https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
Headington Institute. (2024). Supporting humanitarian aid workers. https://headington-institute.org/
International Committee of the Red Cross. (2024). What we do. https://www.icrc.org/
International Rescue Committee. (2024). Refugee resettlement in the United States. https://www.rescue.org/topic/refugees-america
Lutheran World Relief. (2024). Our work. https://lwr.org/
Norwegian Refugee Council. (2024). Global displacement overview. https://www.nrc.no/
UNHCR. (2024). Global trends: Forced displacement in 2023. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. https://www.unhcr.org/globaltrends
UNHCR. (2024). Ukraine emergency. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. https://www.unhcr.org/ukraine-emergency.html
UNRWA. (2024). Gaza emergency appeal. United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. https://www.unrwa.org/
US Department of State. (2024). US refugee admissions program. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. https://www.state.gov/refugee-admissions/
US Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2024). Refugees. https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/refugees
World Bank. (2024). Forced displacement: A growing global crisis and its impact on development. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/forced-displacement
