A Milestone

Yesterday the population of our planet reached eight billion people. A new report by the United Nations indicated there are a number of population trends to which we should be paying attention. The report states, “This is an occasion to celebrate our diversity, recognize our common humanity, and marvel at advancements in health that have extended lifespans and dramatically reduced maternal and child mortality rates. At the same time, it is a reminder of our shared responsibility to care for our planet and a moment to reflect on where we still fall short of our commitments to one another.”

One area where we fall desperately short of our commitments to one another is in care for refugees. It is estimated that at the end of 2021 there were 89.3 million forcibly displaced persons as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. This includes 27.1 million refugees and 53.2 million internally displaced people (The United Nations Refugee Agency).

No one can forget (hopefully) the number of Central and South American people trapped in inhuman situations at the US and Mexican borders. Children in cages, people outside in scorching heat, and unaccompanied minors being deported alone to Mexican border towns. Under the reign of error from #45, immigration policies were set back decades. His administration fueled an anti-immigrant sentiment that continues. The current administration has tried to undo some of the policies, but has been blocked at every turn.  

In other areas of the world, Poland especially, but also other European Union (EU) countries have welcomed millions of asylum seekers and refugees. According to the European Commission in 2021, 23.7 million people in the EU were non-EU citizens (5.3% of the total population) and 37.5 million people were born outside of the EU (8.4% of all EU inhabitants).

The global refugee crisis is far from static. According to www.concernusa.org there are at least ten refugee crises on the horizon, including the Central African Republic, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine and Syria.

As long as there is political, economic and sectarian violence there will be refugees. It raises questions about where they will go, how they will be cared for and how countries can absorb such large numbers of individuals when they struggle internally with their own economies. Some countries are starting to remove the welcome mat. According to the New York Times, a small vocal group of Poles is ramping up resistance to taking more Ukrainian refugees. The United States has less than a stellar track record of welcoming refugees. Other countries are finding their resources stretched to the limit.

It’s time we look at planet earth as a global community. The artificial lines we draw around countries are the result of war, violence and power moves. If we erase the lines (an unlikely outcome), then we see our responsibilities to one another in a different way. It’s time for foreign aid to stop having quid pro quo undertones. It’s time for our strategic concerns to take a back seat to human need. Yes, we are dealing with world bullies like Russia and the threats are real. It’s a complicated problem to be sure, but we cannot absolve ourselves of responsibility for the millions of people who suffer through no fault of their own.

The truth of the matter is that there is enough for everyone’s need, but not everyone’s greed. Much of the anti-immigrant sentiments around the world have to do with not wanting to give up a certain lifestyle, not wanting to lose what is “ours” and being unwilling to share. Our prejudices and biases against “foreigners” have a long and unattractive history in the United States. The current incarnation against Central and South American immigrants should come as no surprise.

So maybe the place to start is with those prejudices and biases. Maybe we begin by opening our hearts to those who are displaced by famine, war and violence and trust that if we open our hearts the actions will follow. Maybe it’s time to support refugee agencies as part of our charitable giving. Those of us who claim the name of Christian cannot deny that Jesus was ultimately concerned about the poor, the outcast and the downtrodden. As long as power is related to privilege and skin color determines social standing and the “right” religion defines our response, the refugees of the world will continue to struggle against the cold heartedness of the rest of the world.