The United Nations' high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, discusses the challenges of aiding the increasing number of displaced people globally due to climate change and conflict. They delve into the complexities surrounding asylum policies, funding priorities for humanitarian operations, and the need for reform in global institutions to align assistance with development goals.
Global refugee crisis demands more efficient and humane asylum policies worldwide.
Long-term solutions integrating refugees into host communities crucial for sustainable support.
Deep dives
Global Refugee Crisis
The podcast episode discusses the global refugee crisis, highlighting the tragic event of a boat capsizing off the coast of Yemen with 260 Somali and Ethiopian refugees. The UNHCR report reveals that over 7,600 people died or went missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in the last three years. The podcast emphasizes the increasing hostility towards refugees in many host countries as immigration becomes a significant issue in global elections. With 43 million refugees worldwide, the episode addresses the challenges faced by aid agencies and the urgent need for global support.
Challenges in Asylum Seeker Policies
The podcast delves into the complexities of asylum seeker policies, focusing on President Biden's executive order to suspend asylum claims at the southern border. The High Commissioner expresses concerns about the order's impact on asylum seekers' rights and the challenges faced by the US in managing the large number of arrivals. The discussion highlights the dilemma faced by governments in balancing humanitarian responsibilities with domestic political pressures, emphasizing the need for more efficient, humane, and globally coordinated asylum policies.
Root Causes of Refugee Crisis
The episode explores the escalating global refugee population, which has tripled in the last decade, attributing this increase to ongoing conflicts and the world's inability to achieve peace. The High Commissioner emphasizes the failure of current peacekeeping mechanisms and the rise of unresolved old and new conflicts globally. The discussion underscores the urgent need for political reforms and enhanced multilateral cooperation to address the root causes of displacement and promote sustainable peace.
Long-Term Solutions and Funding Challenges
The podcast addresses the necessity for long-term solutions to the refugee crisis, advocating for a shift towards sustainable models that integrate refugees into host communities through development initiatives. The High Commissioner highlights the inadequacy of short-term aid and the critical role of development organizations in supporting education, health, and economic stability. Despite funding challenges and political complexities, the episode stresses the importance of building capacity for longer-term solutions to better serve the global refugee population.
The United Nations’ high commissioner for refugees Filippo Grandi talks to FP Live ahead of a visit to Sudan on World Refugee Day. Are international institutions adequately equipped to help a rising number of displaced people around the world? What more should be done?