Refugees around the world reaching 45 million mark

As the world focuses on North Korean nuclear ambitions, Iranian election irregularities and Israeli PM,the global recession Benjamin Netanyahu's first utterances of a two state solution a nation of refugees fights to survive another day. It is always a futile exercise to attempt convince the world that the issue of displaced people deserves more media coverage, but the importance of it cannot be understated and I wish to add my voice to that fact. According to Reuters, over 42 million people are either refugees in designated camps (+16 million) or internally displaced. Most recently clashes between the Pakistani government and elements of the Taliban have resulted in massive displacement in North West Pakistan. This adds to the already displaced, Congolese, Rwandans, Darfuris, Sri Lankan, Zimbabwean, Burmese and Somali people, to name a few groups. Conflict abounds, the world over and the dislpaced seem to be an after thought at times. Humanitarian organizations, fight to make a difference, but without the political will of nation states then these precarious conditions are likely to get worse.

Having so many people displaced is not good and it is an issue that begs to be addressed. In Lebanon Palestinian refugee camps have been up since the conflict with Israel in the 60s. They have been breeding ground for obviously unhappy individuals eager to avenge their misfortune. This situation makes the region less safe. In Somalia people are forced to crime for a living. On top of this children suffer for a lack of facilities while disease and hunger take their toll on the population.

According to the UNHCR, 80% of refugees live in the poorest countries of the world. This has been an issue that has led to several problems that worsen the refugee situation in whatever area it may be. Refugees are resettled to more developed countries by the thousands, while millions remain. The situation is a ticking time bomb, that constantly needs addressing, window dressing will not quite do the job.

The world is better off dealing with these refugee situations than not.