The rising global displacement, which inhumanely affects the lives of displaced people, is a concern. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, the global displacement has increased to a record-breaking 120 million people by war, violence and persecution in different regions. The number of displaced people has increased for the 12th year in a row and has nearly tripled since 2012, requiring more global and local resources, which could have been used to deal with other global problems, to deal with the displacement problem. At present, there are displacement problems in many countries in Asia, Africa and other regions including — but not limited to — Syria, Sudan and Gaza.
It is notable that war, violence and persecution, driven by geopolitical, geoeconomic and other reasons including historical grievances, political instability and ethnic or religious tensions, lead to a large portion of global displacement. The Syrian civil war keeps nearly 14 million people, the largest number of displaced people from a single country, from their homes. Along with the Ukraine war, conflicts in Sudan and Gaza contributed to the increase in the global forced displacement for the last two years. The Sudanese civil war that started between the rival generals in April 2023 has in the meantime pushed more than nine million people from their homes. Given that wars, violence and persecution continue, there will be more displacement in the future too.
Diplomatic and other steps have definitely been made to address conflicts, violence and persecution and deal with refugees, preventing the forced displacement of many people. While diplomatic steps were in place for addressing earlier conflicts, they are also there currently. But global peace efforts often fail to prevent wars before their occurrence and end wars and civil wars after their occurrences driven by various reasons including a lack of effective coordination of diplomatic efforts, a lack of trust between parties involved in the conflict and failure to address their underlying root causes. Additionally, there is a failure to prevent bombings in civilian areas, which results in high displacement. In most wars, civilian areas turn out to be battlegrounds.
Moreover, and pertinently, governments and international organizations including the UNHCR take steps to deal with displaced people in different countries — both internally displaced people and refugees — leading to their repatriation, reintegration and rehabilitation many times. But there are flaws in the steps. While there are dilapidated conditions of many displaced people in different countries, there is often a failure to reach durable solutions to displacement driven by a lack of political will, ineffective coordination among agencies, inadequate legal frameworks, a lack of trust between parties and unresolved root causes of conflict. The displacement crisis of Syria and many other conflicts has not yet been resolved, leaving millions of people in displaced conditions.
The rising global displacement will only increase the woe of more people globally. Steps are vital to address the global displacement. For this, it is crucial to strengthen peacebuilding efforts to prevent and end conflicts and persecution. The reduction of wars and civil wars will reduce displacement drastically. Additionally, early ending of the wars and civil wars and avoiding bombings in civilian areas will reduce the number of displaced people drastically. Among others, putting emphasis on seeking durable solutions to displacement is important. Addressing the reasons for conflicts and instability and barriers to durable solutions can help create sustainable solutions for those forced to flee their homes.
But the stronger role of global and regional powers is vital in addressing displacement including ending conflicts and reaching durable solutions. Increased international cooperation and solidarity can help reach durable solutions many times. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan in 2005, reached by strong international efforts, led to the return of millions of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes. But engaging with local stakeholders can also ensure coordinated responses and long-term support that can contribute to achieving lasting solutions for those affected by conflict-induced displacement many times — successfully.
