Forced migration
Forced migration can result from a range of circumstances. It is usually the result of
sudden, life-threatening events such as war or famine.
The recent Syrian crisis for example, has resulted in more than four and a half million
registered refugees fleeing the country. In 2016 more than 50% of Syria’s population
was displaced by this conflict.
While a steady flow of voluntary migrants usually brings benefits to the receiving
country, the arrival of forced migrants (refugees and asylum seekers), in the short term
at least, can be challenging to accomodate.
The map below shows examples of recent forced migration.
Palestinians to Jordan
Reasons
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) estimates that there are around
five million Palestinian refugees living in various countries in the Middle East.
Palestinian's were displaced from their homes, or forced to flee persecution by Israel
during the Arab-Israeli Wars of 1948 and 1967. In both wars, Israel occupied large
areas of territory long lived on by Palestinians, displacing them and violating human
rights and international law in the process.
Effects
More than 2 million registered Palestine refugees live in Jordan. Many have been
integrated into Jordanian society, but some 370,000 are still living in refugee camps
scattered around the country.
Although UNWRA is responsible for health and social services in the camps, the
Jordanian government has to meet the cost of supplying water, electricity and roads.
Rwanda to Tanzania
Reasons
In 1994 there was a bitter civil war in Rwanda between two ethnic groups, the majority
Hutu and the minority Tutsi.
An estimated one million people were killed within a three month period. Subsequently
many refugees, mainly Hutus, fled from Rwanda to neighbouring countries.
Approximately two million went to Zaire and half a million to Tanzania.
Effects
Most of the refugees in Tanzania are found in refugee camps on the western borders of
the country. The arrival of the refugees has had a substantial impact on the
environment:
Deforestation - as refugees seek wood for fuel and for shelter.
Overgrazing - by the cattle, sheep and goats brought by the refugees.
Water shortage - resulting from the sudden increase in demand.
Water pollution - since no proper sanitation system was initially available.
The competition for water and firewood led to conflict between the refugees and the
local population.
Internal and external migration
Ethiopia
Reasons
Ethiopia is a predominantly rural society. The country experiences a very variable
pattern of rainfall. Crop failures and livestock losses can occur when seasonal rains fail,
or when excessive rain causes flooding.
Pastoral nomads have increasing difficulty in finding water or suitable grazing for their
animals. In extreme cases, as in 1984-1985, this results in famine and massive
migration movements occur.
Effects
The famine of 1984-1985 resulted in the death or displacement of hundreds of
thousands of people within Ethiopia. Around 300,000 people fled to Sudan and
approximately 100,000 people fled to Somalia.
Forced migrants do not always cross international boundaries. In the drought conditions
of 1999-2000, Christian Aid reported migration within Ethiopia - into towns, to search for
work or beg for food and into areas of the country where the rainfall was more reliable.
These movements can cause conflict between fellow Ethiopians competing for scarce
resources or work opportunities.
Figure caption,
Aerial view of a refugee camp in Syria
Ethiopia is also host to refugees fleeing the current crisis in South Sudan. The United
Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that over 500,000 million people have
recently fled from their homes.
Syria
Reasons
The Syrian crisis is an on-going armed conflict in Syria between forces loyal to the
Ba'ath government and those opposing them.
In 2016, reports estimated that fatalities caused by the civil war in Syria amounted to
470,000.
An estimated 4.5 million refugees have fled the country, many to neighbouring countries
such as Lebanon and Jordan. The infographic below shows the figures in 2016.
Case study: Mexico and the USA
According to the International Boundary and Water Commission for the United
States and Mexico, the border between the USA and Mexico is 1,954 miles
long. Illegal migration is a huge problem. U.S. Border Patrol guards the border
and trys to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country. Illegal
migration costs the USA millions of dollars for border patrols and prisons.
There are more than 11 million unauthorised immigrants living in the USA.
Many Americans believe that Mexican immigrants are a drain on the
economy. They believe that migrant workers keep wages low which affects
Americans. However other people believe that Mexican migrants benefit the
economy by working for low wages.
Mexican culture has also enriched the USA border states with food, language
and music.
Impact on Mexico
The Mexican countryside has a shortage of economically active people. Many
men emigrate leaving a majority of women who have trouble finding life
partners. Young people tend to migrate, leaving the old and the very young.
Legal and illegal immigrants together send some $6 billion a year back to
Mexico. Certain villages such as Santa Ines have lost two thirds of their
inhabitants.
There is a large wage gap between the USA and Mexico. Wages remain
significantly higher in the USA for a large portion of the population. This
attracts many Mexicans to the USA.
Many people find living in rural Mexico a struggle because they have to
survive with very little money. Farmland is often overworked and farms are
small.
It is estimated that 10,000 people try to smuggle themselves over the border
every week. One in three get caught and those that do are likely to continue
trying to cross the border at least twice a year.
In addition, over six million people are estimated to be internally dispalced within Syria
trying to escape escalating violence.
Effects
A large share of Syrian refugees in Jordan are not in camps and have fled into urban
areas, beyond the reach of direct assistance from the UN and other donors.
Roughly 70 per cent of these refugees are estimated to be hosted in local communities,
resulting in enormous strain on public resources.
This leads to tensions with the native community as resources are strained.
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