Every day, families around the world are forced to flee their homes. Some are refugees seeking safety in another country, while others are migrants hoping for a better life by crossing borders. Regardless of where they go, these families are often met with policies that shut them out and make it impossible to meet their needs. At Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), we care for displaced people at every stage of their journey, from the treacherous and dangerous migration routes to the inhumane detention centers where many end up. We also bear witness to and speak out against harmful government policies that place displaced people in danger and drive them further from safety, prosperity, and peace.
The plight of refugees is the result of conflict, violence, and persecution in their home countries. They are unable or unwilling to return because they fear for their lives or face persecution for who they are, what they believe in, or what they say. They are also displaced by natural disasters – floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and mudslides – or by the effects of climate change – such as drought, desertification, rising sea levels, and food insecurity.
The refugee crisis is a global problem that requires a holistic response. This includes investing in education, economic opportunities, and community building for refugees and addressing barriers to integrating into society such as language, lack of resources, and cultural norms that hinder professional growth. It also means strengthening international mechanisms to prevent and address crises that lead to displacement.