European Migrant Crisis

It is seen as the largest movement of refugees since the Second World War. This is now more commonly referred to as the European Migrant Crisis. It all started around 2007 when large numbers of undocumented migrants from the Middle East and Africa started coming in the borders of Greece and Turkey. Most of the refugees comprised of Syrians, Yemenis, Nigerians and Somalis. The common denominator - prolonged war and protracted hardships. Many from South Asia such as Bangladeshis and Pakistanis have also started to arrive. The majority of these refugees travel by sea, while others by land. With Greece and Turkey as their staging point, their plans were to make it to countries such as Germany, Sweden, Italy and France where they believe a better life is more attainable.

By 2011, the number of refugees increased by 40%. The plight of these refugees starts at the journey itself. Boats not really designed nor supplied for long voyages encounter a maelstrom of problems. Most either sink or capsize because of overloading. The absence of an able crew contributes to the perils. In April of this year, five boats carrying almost two thousand people sank, resulting in about one thousand two hundred deaths. Thousands more have died trying to reach Europe. But the world seemed oblivious to the situation, until September of this year.

Images of the lifeless body of a three-year-old Syrian child that washed up on a Turkish beach brought both pity and rage from many around the world. The plight of the refugees has now become the topic of both the internet and the news. Countries who have either imposed stricter border controls or have closed them altogether received heavy criticism. But because of the sheer number of refugees, many have no choice but to start denying entries. An existing agreement also complicates matters. The Dublin Regulation states that "if a person who had filed for asylum in one EU country illegally crosses borders into another country, they shall be returned to the former. With countries like Turkey, Greece, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic being at the receiving end of the refugees, they have started to defy the said regulation in the hope that they decongest their borders of the immigrants. So clearly, the whole situation is beginning to get out of hand, hence the crisis.

The United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) is now swamped with requests for aid and assistance. It is asking the world for help. While some have offered to open their borders, albeit some with conditions, the distance of these countries, the Philippines included, makes the journey for these migrants even harder. Europe is still the desired route, with the four countries mentioned being the final destinations. As to how long can Europe sustain the human deluge, many are pessimistic.

This is what war does, especially prolonged war such as those happening in Syria, Afghanistan and African countries. A country that tears itself apart has slim chances of recovering. With terrorist like ISIS, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram and the like still very much active, the plight of refugees may be long and perilous indeed. All the more important to keep this country of ours at peace.