Forgotten Crises: Analysis of the Realities of Refugees

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The end of the 20th Century and the beginning of the 21st have been marked by conflicts, persecutions and massive human rights violations. These phenomena have caused displacement of populations both within and beyond national borders. According to the latest "Global Trends" report published by the UNHCR in June 2023, the number of displaced persons was of 108.4 million at the end of 2022, of whom 35.3 million were refugees. 

In the African Great Lakes region, the refugee problem dates back to the late 1950s and is mainly due to cyclical conflicts in some countries, notably Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the European Commission, a host country like Uganda alone is home to around one and a half million refugees.

Europe is not spared by these refugee flows. These are mainly fleeing war, but some are also political and economic refugees, and others flee the consequences of climate change. According to another UNHCR report, "Over the past decade, weather-related events have triggered an average of 21.5 million new displacements each year - more than twice as many as displacements caused by conflict and violence". Most remain in their countries or in neighbouring countries, but a considerable number do not hesitate to risk their lives by taking the perilous route to Europe. The war in Ukraine, preceded by the conflicts in the Middle East, especially in Syria and Afghanistan, have swelled the number of refugees in European countries. 

Refugees themselves face problems at different levels; not only are they destitute when they arrive, having left behind everything they owned, but they must also cope with the uncertainty of the recognition of their refugee status as refugees, living in constant fear of being sent back to their countries of origin. Another no less serious problem, and one that is often overlooked, is that of the refugee trauma. When they get in the host countries, they are very exhausted and traumatised, not only because of the vicissitudes of the war they experienced, but also because of all the hardships they encounter on their journey.

Therefore, as one can see, the refugee question is a global and complex issue that requires in-depth discussion and response.  A multidisciplinary approach to the living conditions of refugees in host countries and regions, and the conditions that need to be put in place for a sustainable return to their countries of origin, is very important.  It is in this context that this One Day Debate will be organised by the University of Freiburg (Caritas Studies) in collaboration with RAPRED-Girubuntu on the theme of " A comparative analysis of the realities of refugees in Europe and Africa ", with particular emphasis on the forgotten crises. As an illustration, focus will be put on the comparison of the treatment of refugees in Europe, especially Ukraine refugees, and that of the refugees from  the forgotten crises such as those in the Great Lakes region of Africa.

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