June 20, 2021 — In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, rising hunger and record levels of displacement, there has never been a more important time to show solidarity and support for refugees. Yet the UK is at serious risk of falling short.
Today, on World Refugee Day, the International Rescue Committee is calling on the UK Government to increase support to refugees both in Britain and around the world, through a rethink of its Borders Bill, an increase in refugee resettlement, as well as an urgent return to 0.7% of GNI on foreign aid.
The call for greater support and solidarity toward refugees is reflected in the positive attitudes towards refugees held by the British public, following a new poll conducted by YouGov of over 1,000 people in the UK. 76% of people polled believe that the UK government should support the vaccination of vulnerable people in other countries, with 71% of people are in favour of vaccinating refugees and displaced people around the world against Covid-19.
When it comes to foreign aid, the UK is set to spend 40% less on humanitarian aid than before the pandemic, at a time when the UN predicts that the humanitarian need in 2021 is almost 40% higher than in 2020. Humanitarian needs are significantly on the rise across the world, with the devastating combination of conflict, economic turmoil caused by Covid and climate change setting back the clock on humanitarian progress. Across the political spectrum, Members of Parliament have been calling for a return to the 0.7.
Closer to home, the IRC is urging the UK government to do more to welcome refugees in the UK. Resettlement is a vital avenue for the most vulnerable refugees to rebuild their lives in the UK. Despite a record number of people forced to flee their home, global resettlement has been at its lowest level in 20 years. Last year, 34,400 refugees were resettled to safe countries, a 69% decrease from 2019. The UK has resettled just 823 refugees in 2020.
The IRC is calling on the British Government to stand by refugees, through strengthening legal avenues to safety, such as resettlement, whilst re-thinking its Border Bill and ensuring an asylum system that is both fair and humane.
Melanie Ward, UK Executive Director for the International Rescue Committee, said:
“The British Government is not living up to the values of kindness and compassion that this country is known for. The UK has a rich history of welcoming people who have fled their homes. Yet it is clear that the British Government is failing refugees, through the proactive decision to slash foreign aid and poorly thought-through Borders Bill proposals towards refugees and asylum seekers. It is time for the Government to stand with refugees here and around the world.”