CW: Distressing examples of displacement and ongoing conflict
BY CAITLIN GRAHAM –
At the close of 2020, the UNHCR predicted that the number of displaced persons would, for the first time in history, reach 82.4 million people. The twenty-first century has seen many factors that have contributed to the number of peoples displaced; a global pandemic, climate change, economic crises, a surge in nationalist foreign policies, harsher border policies and domestic as well as interstate conflict. Many people have been left uprooted and unable to stay in their own homes, sometimes even their own country.
Australia’s treatment of refugees was momentarily in the spotlight this summer when tennis star Novak Djokavic was detained in Melbourne’s Park Hotel. The same hotel where over 30 refugees and asylum seekers have been held in indefinite detention, some for over nine years. However, once the Australian Open concluded, the issue of Australia’s immigration policies and inhumane treatment of those seeking asylum have once again been swept under the rug.
There are many displacement crises that have ravaged our TV screens and social media overnight before seemingly dropping off the planet. Other major events such as natural disasters, the pandemic and domestic politics have instead taken control of the news cycle. Here is an update on a few of the most severe and ongoing instances of displacement in recent years.
Venezuela
The socio-economic situation and alleged corrupt politics in Venezuela has created a mass exodus out of the country. What was once a rich country in South America due to the massive oil exportation industry is now rocked by economic instability relative to the fall of oil prices in 2016. Venezuela is a petrostate, meaning that the economy relies significantly on the exportation of oil to survive. From 2014-2016 the price of oil per barrel dropped from $100USD per barrel to $30USD which instigated and contributed to billions of dollars in debt, hyperinflation and extreme political unrest. Alleged government corruption by Venezuelan elites who had profited off the petrostate came into the spotlight, catapulting riots and violence in the country.
Many Venezuelans have fled to neighbouring countries such as Brazil, Peru and most notably Columbia. Columbia now hosts approximately 1.3 million refugees who have had to brave extremely poor conditions and harsh terrain to escape their country. In early 2021, the Colombian government committed to a 10 year protector visa for all Venezuelans in Colombia, allowing them to settle for now, whilst Venezuela faces an uncertain future.
In February 2022, the price of oil sharply rose to $100USD per barrel. This provides some hope for the future of Venezuela that maybe with more revenue, the government could help the economy get back on track, encourage international investment and decrease inflation.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has constantly suffered from conflict and as a result there are an estimated 6 million refugees that have been forcibly displaced, with 80% of those being women and children. Whilst the US’ invasion in 2001 created a significant amount of refugees, the Taliban takeover in 2021 has forced many more to flee in fear of persecution. Twenty-three million Afghanis face severe hunger, limited freedoms and persecution of minority groups by the Taliban, all of which are significant factors to millions seeking refuge abroad. With a lack of international help and accountability, it is likely that the number of displaced peoples will increase significantly.
South Sudan
The South Sudanese refugee crisis is the largest in all of Africa. Due to conflict in the world’s newest country, many people have faced violence, economic hardship, health problems and widespread hunger. 80% of those fleeing are women and children who, like in most conflicts, often face significant barriers to seeking asylum and can be the victims of gender-based violence. Because of this, many neighbouring countries are hosting refugees from South Sudan including Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya. Whilst some refugees have begun to return home, the UNHCR has not promoted return as conditions remain very unstable.
Ukraine
Over the last few weeks, long standing tension between Russia and Ukraine have boiled over, with a Russian invasion not just impending, but actually proceeding. At the time of writing, Russian forces have advanced as far as taking Kherson as well as many eastern cities. Ukrainians are holding strong that they can win this war and have activated martial law to defend their country. However, many people have fled Ukraine in search of safety and have arrived in neighbouring countries such as Poland, Germany, Slovakia, as well as further into Western Europe. Over the last month, it is estimated more than 3 million Ukranians have fled the country, with the UN stating this could become the biggest refugee crisis of this century.
A lack of international accountability
There are, unfortunately, many stories of people of colour trying to flee Ukraine who have faced racism and barriers to safety. As the situation unfolds it becomes clear that countries that have previously closed their borders to those seeking asylum are now willing to put Ukrainians ‘on the top of the pile’, including Australia. This begs the question, why are we supporting some victims and not others? The answer seems simple enough when examining the media coverage – Ukrainians are presented by the Western world’s media as more ‘civilised’ and ‘alike’ and therefore are apparently, more deserving of peace.
What is even more disappointing is Western intervention is often the root cause of destabilised governments and thus a core contributor to people needing to seek safety. Afghanistan is a prominent example, for four decades Afghanistan has faced waves of migration prompted by Russian and American and its allies’ invasions. A similar story can be applied to Syria, where intervention and ‘help’ has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Western involvement is widespread however accountability for those actions are almost nonexistent.
Looking Forward
With conflict continuing to rage, the effect of the pandemic still being felt globally and leaders collectively ignoring climate action, it is likely that these tragedies will only continue to worsen. That is, if collective action is not taken.
Our border policies are seemingly getting no less lenient, but the demand for seeking safety increasing, it is uncertain what the fate will be for millions of refugees across the world, particularly, in those areas where the West has accountability. Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and many other places are faced with a refugee crisis, a lack of basic needs and less than sufficient international aid which can be linked to failed Western intervention. Whilst it is a welcomed step in the right direction to see Ukranians embraced in so many areas of the world during this senseless conflict, it is disheartening to see the generosity is seemingly not shared to those in Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Central African Republic and for the Rohingyas who have all faced mass displacement for years.
We cannot afford – economically or ethically – to keep inciting yet ignoring these crises and not provide solutions. The worst is yet to come if collective international action is not taken to resolve conflicts and provide humanitarian aid to the millions of people uprooted, an action that has been seen in Ukraine but scarce elsewhere. It is important to remember that when one instance of displacement is raised, it does not mitigate another, most of the time they will actually exacerbate each other. After all, if Australia faced a mass displacement crisis, wouldn’t we expect to turn to the international community for help?
Author note: Unfortunately due to time/word constraints I have been unable to write about all refugee crises currently occurring. In a perfect world, this article would not need to exist. I would like to extend my apologies for not being able to shed light on all of these humanitarian crises and I sincerely hope that whilst the light is currently shining on the Ukrainian crisis, that it does not detract from the significance of the situations of so many other people who are displaced.
