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World Refugee Day – Coming Together to Address the Refugee Crisis

June 19, 2024by Lorleen Farrugia

Every 20th June, we pay special attention and appreciation to the strength, resilience, needs, and courage of individuals who had to involuntarily flee from their homes. World Refugee Day serves as an opportunity for awareness raising and advocacy for a population that has unfortunately more than tripled within the last decade. Often characterised by a variety of events and activities organised by refugees themselves, government officials, or communities, World Refugee Day promotes efforts that ensure refugees’ safety, dignity and rights. This year’s theme of solidarity highlights the need for global unity to address  the refugee crisis and create a more welcoming, reflective, and supportive world. 

 

Though often used interchangeably, a key difference between migrants and refugees is that while migrants choose to resettle and can safely return home, refugees have no choice to return to their country of origin. This is often due to armed conflict and persecution, and they are at risk of imprisonment, stripping of human rights, or death. By the end of 2023, approximately 117.3 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, and human rights violations. Effective interventions and policies are needed to support refugees and integrate them into host communities​​. The climate crisis exacerbates this situation, with environmental changes forcing more people to flee their homes, further complicating the refugee landscape.

 

Sign that says refugees welcome

Research plays a crucial role in ameliorating the lives of refugees and addressing the ongoing refugee crisis. Findings from gathering and analysing comprehensive data, enable organisations to identify trends in global forced displacement, apply evidence-based decisions, and  develop targeted interventions, to support displaced populations. Monitoring and evaluating the impact of aid organisations’ interventions allows for determining successful strategies, addressing gaps, and developing a more tailored approach for impactful interventions. Artificial intelligence (AI) driven algorithms can be used to analyse data from sources such as social media, satellite images, and government records to offer real-time insights into the needs and vulnerabilities of refugees. Through language processing and image recognition systems, AI can identify patterns that may not be immediately discernible to analysts, enabling aid organisations to allocate resources efficiently and anticipate future challenges. 

 

Participatory and liberation research methods are particularly valuable as they actively involve refugees as collaborators during the research process, increasing authentic, personalised, and actionable outcomes. These transformative approaches are representative of refugees’ perspectives and prioritise social justice. By empowering and engaging refugees in identifying issues and suggesting recommendations, participatory approaches initiate community change and leave a direct impact on refugees’ lives. Listening to these voices  deepens communities’ understanding of refugees, which is crucial for their integration into the host community. 

 

As we observe World Refugee Day, it is essential to recognise the need to hear and amplify refugee voices through participatory research. Let us continue to stand in solidarity with refugees and commit to evidence-based actions that promote their safety, dignity, and well-being.

Lorleen Farrugia

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A1-RESEARCHHeadquarters
A1 Research is a company headquartered in Malta with reach in the UK and EU through a nework of Associated Consultants
OUR LOCATIONSWhere to find us?
A1 Location Malta
GET IN TOUCHA1 Research on Linkedin
Follow us on LinkedIn for a stream of online updates on our most recent projects
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