Refugee crisis: why so many risk all to reach Europe
War in Syria and a failed state in Libya have led to the biggest displacement of people in a generation
Europe is facing the biggest forced migration of people since the end of the Second World War and is struggling to develop a coherent response to the growing humanitarian crisis.
Why are there so many refugees?
War, conflict and violence in the Middle East and North Africa has displaced millions of people in recent years and forced refugees to make the dangerous sea journey across the Mediterranean or travel by road, rail or foot through the Balkans. Thousands have died and the death toll continues to rise as desperate refugees search for a route to safety.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Where are they coming from?
The ongoing conflict in Syria lies at the heart of the crisis, with more than four million people having fled since the war began in 2011.The majority are living in refugee camps in neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, but hundreds of thousands have reached Europe. Meanwhile, the power vacuum in Libya has opened up a new gateway into the continent, one of which people-smugglers across North Africa have taken advantage. The rise of Islamic State in Syria and Iraq and religious, ethnic and separatist conflicts in Afghanistan, Yemen, south-east Turkey, Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea and north-east Nigeria also continue to feed the crisis. Many of these conflicts show little sign of resolution – meaning more people will continue to flee in search of safety and few will feel safe enough to ever return home.
What can be done?
The vast scale of the crisis means a global strategy is needed. "No country can do it alone, and no country can refuse to do its part," says the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHRC). It is calling on nations across Europe and the world to develop a common strategy based on responsibility, solidarity and trust. In the short term, governments in Europe are being urged to adhere to the EU's asylum policy and resettle as many refugees as possible to ease the burden on the countries inundated with the most people. In the long term; experts argue the huge flow of refugees will not stop until the root causes of the conflicts are addressed.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published