Six richest countries take small share of refugees
THE six wealthiest countries in the world take in less than one in 11 of the world’s refugees, according to a new report.
The study shows that the six richest nations – Britain, China, France, Germany, Japan and the US which make up more than half the global economy, host less than nine per cent of refugees.
While Germany has recently welcomed far more more refugees than the other richest nations, there remains a major gap as poorer countries host the vast majority, according to the Oxfam report. The study shows that the rich six host 2.1 million refugees and asylum seekers between them, or 8.9 per cent of the world’s total. The UK hosts 169,000 refugees and asylum seekers, less than one per cent of the world’s total.
In sharp contrast, Jordan, Turkey, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Pakistan and Lebanon host more than half the world’s refugees and asylum seekers – despite the fact that those countries make up less than two per cent of the world’s economy.
More than 65 million people have fled their homes because of conflict and violence, 40.8 million within their own countries, 21.3 million as refugees and 3.2 million awaiting asylum decisions.
Oxfam is now calling on governments to commit to do more to help poorer countries sheltering the majority.
Mark Goldring, chief executive of Oxfam GB, said: “Now more than ever, the UK needs to show that it is an open, tolerant society that is prepared to play its part in solving this crisis. It is shameful that as one of the richest economies the UK has provided shelter for less than one per cent of refugees.”