Given the lack of comprehension surrounding the current global migrant crisis, one of the most deeply rooted myths about this crisis is about where the refugees end up going.
It’s common to think that most refugees are, or at least seek to get to, European countries. However, the reality can be surprising.
In reality, most refugees are living in countries which border with their countries of origin.
Currently, according to UNHCR, the majority of refugees (68%) come from five countries. These countries are: Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar and Somalia.
The countries receiving the most significant amount of refugees are Turkey (3.5 million), followed by Pakistan (1.4 million), Uganda (1.4 million), Lebanon (1 million) and Iran (980,000).
Congolese refugees in Uganda. Source: David Azia, UNHCR.
These numbers dispel the common myth that the current migratory movement is a “refugee crisis in Europe” when, in reality, 85% of the total number of refugees are in developing countries, where there is little or no support to receive them. Consequently, they find themselves living in extreme poverty in refugee camps.
The conditions in these neighbouring countries are often even dangerous. According to Human Rights Watch, in 2018, 74% of Syrian refugees in the Lebanon were not documented, leaving them vulnerable to detention, abuse and exploitation. This vulnerability also contributes to poverty and child labour, and limits access to education and medical services. Moreover, the Lebanese authorities have been demanding the return of refugees to their countries of origin, and local municipalities have expelled thousands of refugees.
Informal settlements in the Lebanon. Source: Jacob Russell, The Guardian.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for refugees (who, by definition, are people who find themselves outside their country of origin due to war, violence and persecution) to continue to face threats in the countries which shelter them.
Those who embark on the journey to Europe are also forced to take serious risks.
Crossing desert, forest and sea, they have to face various dangers, including physical abuse, sexual abuse and even human trafficking (for exploitation, including modern slavery), as well as simply being exposed to the elements.
Sometimes, children go on this journey alone. They are even more vulnerable.
In 2018, 141,472 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe. 2,277 were registered as dead or missing; they set out on the journey and never made it to their destination.
This represents a significant reduction compared to 2015, when 1,032,408 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe (aside from the 5,096 dead or missing).
Germany has welcomed more refugees than any other European country. Contrary to popular belief, it’s the only rich country amongst the ten countries which receive most refugees. According to UNHCR, in 2017, Germany was home to 970,000 refugees.
The integration of these people is not always straightforward, and other European countries often claim that they are unable to receive this type of number of people, creating paralysing bureaucratic systems and quotas that are insufficient to meet the need.
Talking about who should welcome how many refugees is a delicate debate, because we’re not simply speaking about resources or a so-called culture shock; we are talking about people who are victims of war, violence and persecution who are seeking safety. We are talking about a humanitarian crisis.
The majority of these people get to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, arriving in Spain, Italy and Greece. The price of this trip is not always only financial (traffickers take advantage of the vulnerability of these people to make a profit). Overcrowding is a common problem which can result in shipwreck – and tragedy.
Refugees and migrants arriving in Greece. Source: A. McConnel, UNHCR.
There are also refugee camps in Europe, where the conditions are also difficult and the same threats found during the journey repeat themselves. Sexual violence, including against children, for example, is widespread.
Sometimes, the ‘better life’ which exists in the imagination of vulnerable refugees and migrants is exactly that: imaginary.
Refugee camp on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Source: Petros Tsakmakis, AP.
In France, refugee (and migrant) camps in Calais and Dunkirk were notorious.
But in April 2017, the camp in Dunkirk burnt to the ground after confrontations between criminal gangs which were operating in the camps. Now, the refugees and migrants who lived in the temporary settlements sleep in a local sports hall and in a nature reserve.
In Calais, there was a camp known as ‘the Jungle’.
After various conflicts between the French police and the people who were living in the camp, in October 2016, the French authorities declared that the camp had been cleared. The majority of these people were taken to reception centres, but some were left behind. Now they sleep in the forest, dependent on the help of local NGOs and constantly threatened by the authorities, who confiscate tents and sleeping bags, or simply make them unusable by spraying them with tear gas.
It is estimated that up to 700 refugees and migrants are homeless in the North of France. Source: Alecsandra Raluca Drāgoi, The Guardian.
It is important to point out that there are also a number of success stories in Europe, aside from numerous examples of welcoming policies and social movements in favour of refugees.
However, we want to emphasise that it is quite simply a myth that the majority of refugees are in Europe, and that once they are there, life is easy.
At Compassiva, we have worked with refugees who chose to come to Brazil because they saw it as a welcoming country, but also with refugees who did not have Brazil down as their first option.
We have worked with some refugees who have been through refugee camps, and who even crossed the Mediterranean Sea in a boat.
In Brazil, at the end of 2017, there were just over 10,000 refugees recognised by the Ministry of Justice and 88,007 applications in process, considerably less than in neighbouring countries, Europe and even in other countries in the Americas.
Syrians made up the biggest community of refugees in the country (39%), followed by Congolese, Colombians, Palestinians and Pakistanis.
Also in 2017, the number of Venezuelans arriving on Brazilian soil and requesting refugee stats reached 17,865 (more than half of all applications). And demand is growing; just between January and April 2018, 14,449 applications from Venezuelans were lodged (19,429 applications in total).
Venezuelans crossing the border into Brazil on a clandestine route in Roraima. Source: Emily Costa, G1 RR.
Overall, refugees are represented by 79 nationalities on Brazilian soil.
May Brazil continue to guarantee refuge to people who need it.
Join us and be an agent of welcome for refugees on Brazilian soil, donating here.
