African nations host more than 20 million people forced to flee their homes. Over a third of the world's forcibly displaced people are found in Africa, including some 6.3 million refugees and 14.5 million internally displaced persons. Many have been uprooted due to armed conflict in countries such as the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Somalia and South Sudan. Others have had their lives disrupted due to disasters linked to climate change such as floods or droughts.
African nations have been lauded for adopting a more liberal "open door" policy towards refugees than Western nations, despite being low-income economies. With aid agencies struggling to raise funds, countries such as Uganda - which hosts over 1 million refugees and allows them freedom of movement and the right to work - have been praised for progressive policies aimed at integration and empowerment. Last month, Ethiopia passed legislation allowing for similar provisions for the over 900,000 refugees it hosts. Compared to other regions, Africa has a well-developed legal framework, with treaties protecting and providing rights to displaced people and refugees, said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' (IFRC) Jagan Chapagain.
African nations have been lauded for adopting a more liberal "open door" policy towards refugees than Western nations, despite being low-income economies. With aid agencies struggling to raise funds, countries such as Uganda - which hosts over 1 million refugees and allows them freedom of movement and the right to work - have been praised for progressive policies aimed at integration and empowerment. Last month, Ethiopia passed legislation allowing for similar provisions for the over 900,000 refugees it hosts. Compared to other regions, Africa has a well-developed legal framework, with treaties protecting and providing rights to displaced people and refugees, said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' (IFRC) Jagan Chapagain.
"Some African countries are doing a tremendous job in providing safety for neighbours fleeing wars and persecution," said Yemisrach Kebede, the Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC) representative to the AU. "But currently, many displaced people are left without necessary protection and support, both in their home country and in the countries where they seek protection as refugees."
Many refugees are confined to camps in Africa. They cannot access basic public services like health and education and are not allowed to work. Those fleeing within their own country are vulnerable to attacks by armed factions.
Chapagain, the IFRC's Under Secretary General for Programmes and Operations, said, "All of those on the move should have access not only to basic services to meet needs like water, food, medical care – but also to protection and to measures that seek to restore their hope and safeguard their dignity."
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