“Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety, and a better future. It is part of the social fabric, part of our very make-up as a human family.” – Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General (2007-2016), United Nations
Since time immemorial, humans have been migrating to places, driven by food availability, climate, and other environmental factors. It has been complicated by wars, political unrest, famine, and human rights abuses as time passed, creating a widespread diaspora. Daring desert conditions and sub-zero temperatures to flee across seas in death boats, migrants travel thousands of kilometres away from their motherland for survival. Forced migration emerging from wars in Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine; Rohingyas escaping violence inflicted on them by Myanmar’s state forces; and the treacherous journey from Central America to the USA for better economic opportunities and sustainable livelihood are only a few examples. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over a year, the number of refugees in the world has increased from 20.7 million in 2020 to 21.3 million at the end of 2021, which is more than double the 10.5 million a decade ago.
The question is how host cities cope with a massive influx of asylum seekers knocking on their doorstep.
Since the end of 2021, the Russian invasion has led Ukrainians to flee to their neighbouring countries to escape the armed conflict, seeking safety, protection, and assistance. This has led close to five million individual Ukrainian refugees to move across the European Union and other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries by mid-September 2022. Sharing a long border with Ukraine, the Republic of Poland, a member of OECD countries, opened its borders to over 2 million refugees, hosting the largest number of migrants after Turkey. But with no end in sight to the conflict, the Polish city of Rzeszow, with an increased population of 53 per cent, is crumbling under
enormous pressure.
With local governments shouldering social and ethical responsibility and helping the new migrants, the focus is more on schemes that will support sustainability and be responsive to the social needs applicable for the longer term, benefiting both the Ukrainian and the Polish citizens. Instead of temporary hospitals in tents and housing facilities, new places of residence and medical centres are being built, maintaining the current standard of living and preventing any social conflicts. The local governments are also focusing more on providing jobs and education access, which means more funds are required to build more infrastructure and adapt to their new reality. The picture in developing nations is much grimmer. This region of the world suffers mostly from reduced economic growth, ethnic conflicts, and mass poverty.
After a massive scale of armed attacks, violence, and serious human rights violations, with no option other than fleeing from their homes, thousands of Rohingyas journeyed through dense forests. They undertook dangerous sea journeys to reach Bangladesh. A Muslim ethnic minority living in Myanmar for many generations is yet to be recognised as an official ethnic group. It has been denied citizenship of Myanmar since 1982, making them the most persecuted minority and the largest stateless population in the world.
Bangladesh, the eighth most populous country in the world, has its share of significant problems, including overcrowding, inflation, political instability, and poverty. Already frustrated with its issues, the country has sought to focus on repatriation and to deal with the refugee crisis as a short-term challenge. Although the Bangladesh government has provided them with access to UNHCR services, it continues categorising Rohingyas as illegal migrants and refuses to grant formal refugee status.
Since 2017, around seven million Rohingyas have reached the shores of Bangladesh, more than half of whom have settled on the narrow strip of land in Cox’s Bazar, restricting refugees from settling into the country. In a city with an area of 213.4 sq km, the government doesn’t view their settlement here as a tenable solution. It has been rolling in the opposite direction- restrictions on aid activities from building safe housing to cultivating self-reliance, combined with heavy-handed security measures only alienating the refugees and leading to a greater threat and conflict in
the region.
It has further strained humanitarian and government relief schemes. The city has even denied basic education to the children and to seek formal jobs. Overcrowding from the recent boom in the refugee camps has placed a strain on infrastructure.
To reduce pressure on the world’s largest refugee settlement, the government has built Bhasan Char, a tiny island in the Bay of Bengal. According to the United Nations’ statement on the relocation of Rohingya refugees to the Bhasan char, it appreciates the generosity and humanitarian spirit of the government for providing them with safety and shelter. It has also emphasised that refugees should have basic rights and services, including access to education, health care, and livelihood opportunities.
With the Taliban taking control over Afghanistan, the world saw an influx of Afghan refugees seeking shelter in neighbouring nations, including India.
Considering Afghanistan’s current situation, India granted 200 emergency e-visas for six months. Since UNHCR doesn’t have a branch office agreement with the government of India, it works under the umbrella of UNDP with responsibility for a wide range of refugees in the capital city. As per UNHCR 2021 report, India currently hosts 15,217 Afghan refugees.
India’s capital city houses the most Afghan refugees, letting them experience living independently. The migrants opened their hub, giving a different cultural experience of diversity. The city has given them a space to make themselves self-reliant in a respectable way.
Delhi has even come up with schools exclusively for Afghan refugees to prepare the students for higher education in western countries with the help of the UNHCR.
Three different cities deal with refugees with three different approaches. Migrants risking their lives for better livelihoods, cities worldwide capable of helping them should be more generous and lend them a helping hand. From providing proper housing facilities to education and job opportunities, cities must build facilities to handle refugees. Cities can adopt policies primarily related to the situation of refugees and allow them basic rights. Also, education should be embedded within citywide policies; local governments must have autonomy, capacity, and agency to act and provide for them. National and local public financial management systems must be flexible enough to relocate resources and maintain to provide for migrants’ needs.
Bangladesh, more than half of whom have settled on the narrow strip of land in Cox’s Bazar, restricting refugees from settling into the country. In a city with an area of 213.4 sq km, the government doesn’t view their settlement in the city as a tenable solution