Currently, we’re facing the worst refugee crisis in the world since World War Two. Millions of women, men and children people are fleeing places such as: Africa and the Middle East, specifically Syria, Eritrea and Afghanistan, Darfur, Iraq, Somalia, and Nigeria, due to poverty, oppression by dictators, war and religious extremists. They have been driven from their homes, fleeing in a precarious and violent route to reach Europe for asylum.
Last month, images surfaced of a dead 3 year old, his brother and mother washing up on a beach on Turkey. They’re just one of 3,000 others who have died on their way trying to reach a safe haven in Europe. 6 million of the Syrians forced to be displaced from their own home are children who have an extreme risk of malnourishment, abuse, or illness. They have been forced to abandon their education and even leave their families in search of a better life.
Syria has been especially hit hard in this crisis. 12 million people, ½ of the Syrian population, have been forced to move away from their homes due to their towns being burned to the ground by their dictator, wars and violent ISIS campaigns.
Europe alone has received 350,000 refugees in this year. Up to 20,000 arrive on Greece’s shores every week. Germany expects to give asylum to over 800,000 refugees this year. But, stigma is clouding people in Europe’s perception of immigrants. They say they are “invading” their country. But, humans are people too. Every country and their inhabitants should be willing to help these people who have been victimized and ripped apart by war in their home country. These people are coming from severe poverty and violence and just want a safe and hospitable environment for their religious practices and to raise their family or be safe from ISIS and brutal wars.
Many people in Europe are afraid of the refugees. Swiss voters support a party infamous for campaigns against immigrants and Islam. And recently, a German mayor candidate ,who supported taking in refugees, was stabbed. Many in Germany are now supporting anti-Islamic PEGIDA protests which have drawn thousands of followers. These protests include a picture of Merkel (who champions support for the refugees), the PM of Germany, dressed as Hitler. In addition, fences with barbed wire surround the borders of Hungary for anyone illegally attempting to get across. In Britain, tabloids describe immigrants as “cockroaches swarming their country” as if they are pests that are toxic to their country. These are only a few countries who have harsh opinions of immigrants.
Lets face it: the world is clouded with racist, islamophobic notions about the immigrants coming into Europe. All these refugees, often families, are fleeing from tyranical, violent, and oppressive governments. They have nothing to do with terrorism or ISIS. They’re just people who want a safe place to live, get an education, and make money to bring them out of poverty without constantly fearing a war, It’s our job, as occupants of a first-world country, to help out those who do not have the same entitlements we do.
Please consider donating to a charity or foundation that helps these immigrants and supports them with basic necessities such as clothing, food, and shelter. http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home, the UN Refugee Agency, is an organization renown for their efforts in the refugee crisis. By donating, the UNHCR strives to “ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find same refuge in another country and to return home voluntarily.” Please consider making a small donation, everything helps these refugees towards a better life.
