Why is This Important to Us?
Not only is seeking asylum a human right, but for us to reject our fellow people, and let them be tortured, starve, and drown, it would be one of the worst crimes the world has committed. Not only will accepting refugees result in long-term growth for economies, it is our duty to protect the innocent people who seek the same things we do: peace, love and a future. People throughout the Middle East in mainly Syria and Afghanistan are living in terror, surrounded by jihadists and are lacking basic needs such as adequate food and water. We need to stand up for the vulnerable and send a message that torture, inequality, war and terror don't have a place in this world and aren't tolerated.
What Can Be Done?
The UNHCR is an great organization from the UN dedicated to sending aid to refugees doing remarkable work in protecting refugees and providing them with shelter and basic necessities among other things (donate here). For more information on organizations to donate to and how to help click here. The refugee crisis is such a complex issue where there isn't one single answer to the problem. We at Humanity First believe that taking care of the root of the problem, the wars and conditions at home, is the most effective solution. The refugees don't want to leave their homes, but are forced, and a secure homeland would certainly end this huge migration. This at the moment is nearly impossible, but by contacting and sending messages to leaders, we can call for a unified effort to stop terrorism, the Syrian government, and wars in the area. Only when the terror stops will economies, safety, and the people return. We need to be more united in ending this tragedy, single countries like Greece, Italy, and Germany shouldn't be the only ones taking action while countries like Saudi Arabia takes none, as it is nearly impossible for a few countries to manage the migration of over a million people. By encouraging a more unified effort, countries can distribute resources and send help more effectively, ensuring that refugees are getting the support they need. However, as an organization, we can do simple things that would have a huge present impact on the crisis. This includes providing clean water, heaters for the winter months, language schools for the children and adults for smoother integration into society, and education at the camps through certified teachers to ensure refugee children are being prepared for a successful future.
Sources:
Sunde, Kristin Hulaas. “7 Questions You Might Have about Refugees and Migrants Drowning in the Mediterranean.” Amnesty International, Amnesty International, 22 Apr. 2015, www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2015/04/7-questions-you-might-have-about-refugees-and-migrants-drowning-in-the-mediterranean/. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Rodgers, Lucy, et al. “Syria: The Story of the Conflict.” BBC News, BBC, 11 Mar. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Stone, Jon. “The Refugee Crisis Is Actually Having 'Sizable' Economic Benefits in European Countries, EU Says.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 5 Nov. 2015, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-refugee-crisis-will-actually-have-a-sizable-positive-economic-impact-on-european-countries-eu-a6722396.html. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Jordan, Ed Carty In. “Many Syrians Displaced by War Don't Want to Flee to Europe According to UN.” The Irish Sun, The Irish Sun, 1 Mar. 2017, www.thesun.ie/news/654465/many-displaced-syrians-dont-want-to-have-to-leave-their-own-country-and-come-to-europe-according-to-un-officials/. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Stone, Jon. “Syrian Refugee Crisis: How Different Countries Have Responded.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 1 Sept. 2016, www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/syrian-refugee-crisis-how-different-countries-have-responded-france-lebanon-uk-a7220616.html. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Sunde, Kristin Hulaas. “7 Questions You Might Have about Refugees and Migrants Drowning in the Mediterranean.” Amnesty International, Amnesty International, 22 Apr. 2015, www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2015/04/7-questions-you-might-have-about-refugees-and-migrants-drowning-in-the-mediterranean/. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Rodgers, Lucy, et al. “Syria: The Story of the Conflict.” BBC News, BBC, 11 Mar. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Stone, Jon. “The Refugee Crisis Is Actually Having 'Sizable' Economic Benefits in European Countries, EU Says.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 5 Nov. 2015, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-refugee-crisis-will-actually-have-a-sizable-positive-economic-impact-on-european-countries-eu-a6722396.html. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Jordan, Ed Carty In. “Many Syrians Displaced by War Don't Want to Flee to Europe According to UN.” The Irish Sun, The Irish Sun, 1 Mar. 2017, www.thesun.ie/news/654465/many-displaced-syrians-dont-want-to-have-to-leave-their-own-country-and-come-to-europe-according-to-un-officials/. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Stone, Jon. “Syrian Refugee Crisis: How Different Countries Have Responded.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 1 Sept. 2016, www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/syrian-refugee-crisis-how-different-countries-have-responded-france-lebanon-uk-a7220616.html. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.