Refugees are people forced to leave their homes because of persecution, war or violence, severe food insecurity, environmental degradation, or other factors. They have the legal status of refugees under international law and are eligible to receive many types of humanitarian aid. People displaced inside their own country and who do not have the legal status of refugees are called internally displaced persons (IDPs). They are not eligible for refugee protection or many kinds of humanitarian aid.
The causes of displacement are complex, involving factors like gang and political violence, conflict, weak state governance, impunity, corruption, religious or ethnic fragmentation, and climate change. Refugee crises are frequently entangled in regional conflict, creating an interlinked web of threats to human rights and security. Attempting to address them in isolation leads to frustration and a waste of resources.
While a majority of refugee crisis are caused by war or violence, other causes include natural disasters, environmental degradation, and climate change. The slow onset of these environmental and climatic events can lead to long-term displacement and the loss of traditional livelihoods.
The first step in a refugee crisis is to provide safe shelter and adequate food and water to those who need it. Then, in order to rebuild their lives, refugees must adapt to a new culture and laws, find work and social support, learn about the language and schooling systems, and adjust to life in the host country. This process is known as local integration, and is becoming more important as refugee conflict continues to last for indeterminate periods of time.
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