A refugee crisis is a serious situation where large groups of people are either fleeing from their home country or living in host countries that lack the capacity to address their needs and meet human rights standards. Displaced people can be forced to seek asylum because of persecution or conflict, or they may be escaping the impact of natural disasters – floods, earthquakes and hurricanes, often caused by climate change. They are seeking safe and dignified housing, food and water. They are also seeking security and hope.
The causes of a refugee crisis are complex and the solutions require political will, cooperation and action. In the 21st century, more people are displaced than at any other time in history. Persecution and conflict are still driving the majority of displacement, but now natural disasters, poverty, gang violence and other factors are also pushing people to leave their homes. This kind of internal displacement is not addressed in the international legal instruments such as the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
In the early stages of a refugee crisis, hosts are usually focused on meeting basic needs and coordinating aid with neighboring states. As the crisis becomes more protracted, however, destabilization and conflict can increase. Host states may feel pressure to limit refugee protection measures or cut back on funding to help them cope with the influx, and refugees are more likely to be seen as a threat. This is particularly true if the refugees share ethnic or religious characteristics with populations in conflict.