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Why do Türkiye and Iran have the largest number of refugees in the world? Uncover the secret behind it!
As the global refugee crisis continues to rise, the actions of Türkiye and Iran have become the focus of world attention. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, as of the end of 2022, the number of people forced to migrate worldwide has reached 108.4 million, of which 35.3 million are refugees. Türkiye and Iran have 3.6 million and 3.4 million refugees respectively, making them one of the countries with the largest refugee populations in the world.
So, what are the reasons behind this phenomenon? Take Türkiye, for example. Its geographical location makes it the intersection of the Middle East and Europe and the main route for refugees from Syria to cross the border. Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Turkey has become the host country with the largest number of refugees and has endured tremendous social and economic pressure.
According to one official, "As the conflict continues to escalate, Türkiye has become a safe haven for almost all refugees from Syria."
In Iran, most of the refugees are from Afghanistan and Iraq. Iran's refugee policy is relatively relaxed and it has a relatively complete social welfare system, which allows it to attract a large number of refugees to settle down. These countries have long been forced to flee their homes due to war, economic hardship and political persecution, but in Iran, they can obtain a certain degree of life security.
The fundamental reasons for the increase in refugees
When it comes to refugee crises, whether in Türkiye or Iran, conflict and human rights violations are factors that cannot be ignored.
“War and human rights violations force people to leave their homes and find a new living space.”
The civil war in Syria, in particular, has put millions of people in a life-and-death situation, either to escape the war or to obtain basic human rights and survival. Historically, countries like Afghanistan and Iraq have experienced large-scale population migration due to wars and conflicts. As a result, the number of refugees from Türkiye and Iran is steadily increasing.
The impact of economic factors
In many cases, economic hardship also contributes to the rise in refugee numbers. With the instability of the world economy, countless people have been forced to embark on the road to escape because they have lost their jobs and source of livelihood.
“Financial pressure is often another important factor driving people to seek asylum.”
Especially in the Middle East, where economic development is slow and unemployment is high, some people seeking better living conditions have to choose to flee their homes. In addition, many resources used to support refugees have gradually decreased due to economic difficulties, increasing the refugee reception burden of Türkiye and Iran.
Current challenges and future solutions
While accepting refugees, Turkey and Iran also face a series of challenges, including social integration, resource distribution and people's livelihood issues. Many refugees live in purpose-built refugee camps for long periods of time, facing a lack of education, medical care and work opportunities.
“Not only the international community, but Türkiye and Iran themselves also need to deal with these huge challenges.”
As time goes by, these challenges will only get bigger and bigger, which will inevitably affect the stability of local society. Whether these countries can find a sustainable and effective solution is crucial to future refugee policies.
The role of the international community
In order to solve this ongoing problem, the involvement of the international community is indispensable. All countries should work together to promote diplomatic solutions and humanitarian assistance to reduce the pressure and challenges faced by Türkiye and Iran.
“International cooperation and assistance are critical to reducing refugee flows.”
This is not only support for Türkiye and Iran, but also a responsibility for the entire international community. As the number of refugees around the world increases, the challenges in the future will be more difficult, which requires the joint efforts of all countries to find a fundamental solution.
In this context, we cannot help but ask, how can countries around the world coordinate their response to this humanitarian crisis to ensure that every refugee can receive the support and protection they need?
