The current situation with illegal immigration to Europe
According to a Pew Research Center Report [14.11.2019], Europe is one of the world’s top destinations for international migrants. In recent years, their population has grown as high numbers of immigrants have entered Europe, including some seeking asylum.
The number of unauthorized immigrants living in Europe increased between 2014 and 2016, then leveled off to an estimated 3.9 million to 4.8 million in 2017, according to new estimates from Pew Research Center.
These immigrants lived in the 32 countries of the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA), but about half lived in just two countries – Germany and the United Kingdom. Europe’s unauthorized immigrants are diverse in their origins, coming from many nations outside of the region. They are also largely recent arrivals to Europe, with about half having arrived in the past five years.
To stem this migration flow, the wealthier western European nations should be providing more financial assistance to help displaced persons – either due to conflict of degradation of land – remain in their countries of origin. This allows these refugees to avoid having to deal with people smugglers and take the risk of a long, hazardous and arduous journey to Europe – no-one wants to leave their country if they can avoid it – as well as being offered the opportunity to retain some semblance of a normal life.
As the DRC itself says:
Forcibly displaced people need a place to feel safe and warm, a place to isolate themselves and seek shelter – a place to call home. Shelter and protection are paramount to people who have been forced to flee, leaving everything behind. That is why we always seek to provide shelter and protection as a first response in a displacement crisis.
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) s a private Danish humanitarian nonprofit organization, founded in 1956. It is a leading, international humanitarian displacement organisation, supporting refugees and internally displaced persons in 40 countries. We provide protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance. DRC employs 9,000 staff and is supported by 7,500 volunteers in Denmark.
DRC Climate Action
Climate change is arguably one of the defining challenges of our time. There is already increasing evidence pointing to Climate Change being one of the main triggers to internal displacement. In 2018 alone, 17.2 million new displacements associated with disasters were recorded (IDMC). Additionally, evidence shows that poor countries suffer disproportionally from climate-induced displacement. Certainly, the displacement affected areas in which DRC works, climate change and environmental degradation not only potentially accelerates localized conflict over natural resources, but also deepens vulnerabilities as livelihoods or living conditions erodes. Climate change and environmental degradation is a threat multiplier for displaced people.
NEWS AND STORIES FROM THE FIELD
Former DRC Country Director becomes permaculture farmer – David Kang’ethe
Former DRC Country Director in Kenya, David Kang’ethe, is cascading permaculture techniques and regenerative practices – central to the work inside and beyond displacement settings.
David Kang’ethe retired from DRC in June of 2020 after a fruitful, energetic, and productive 10 years with the organisation. His enthusiasm for the climate resilience projects which he assisted getting off the ground, led him to integrate the permaculture techniques being taught to affected populations, into his personal life and he is now a successful permaculture farmer. Read more
Localizing regenerative solutions in Tanzania
DRC EAGL’s resilience approach in Tanzania uses permaculture-inspired design science to build resilience for refugee and IDP shelters, homesteads, farms and for the landscapes in which they are situated. The project illustrates the importance of rethinking current agricultural models. DRC in Tanzania promotes a localisation of food production through strategies such as bio-intensive, agroecological, agroforestry and permaculture-based resilience design approaches, including household perma-gardens and farms to prevent an over-reliance on imports and to mitigate the impacts of increases in global food prices. Read more
Yemeni communities becoming resilient one seed at a time
DRC Yemen has partnered with local farmer communities in the Sa’dah Governorate in the north-west of the country, to collect, preserve, store and multiply traditional seed stock to increase food security. Being an extremely fragile state, Yemenis and displaced people heavily depend on humanitarian aid for food. Reclamation of seed security is key to build resilience, protect livelihoods and, thus, reduce conflict risks. Read more
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Contact details:
Danish Refugee Council
Borgergade 10
DK-1300 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Email drc@drc.ngo
Phone +45 33 73 50 00
