World Refugee Day: Global displacement hits record high

World Today

World Refugee Day Global displacement hits record high

On this years’ World Refugee Day the global outlook is worse than ever.

As the world faces its’ worst crisis since World War II, refugees worldwide are suffering fleeing war and terror, but continue to live in struggles away from home.

CCTV’s Michal Bardavid reports from Turkey, home to the largest number of refugees.

This year has been a year of suffering for millions of refugees as they try to seek safety in countries abroad.

Top of the list is Syria as the country entered its’ sixth year of conflict followed by Afghanistan and Somalia.

The U.N. Refugee Agency says the global number of displaced people has surpassed 65 million.

Turkey is currently hosting 2.7 million Syrian refugees over 500,000 of them are children though they have found safety in Turkey many find the living conditions here challenging and therefore want to reach Europe instead.

The International Organization for Migration says over a million migrants arrived to Europe by sea last year.

The Turkey – EU migrant deal is currently close to a collapse – yet Turkish officials have said the country has done its part to prevent refugees from crossing to the Greek islands via Turkish shores.

Turkey is expecting to receive visa free travel within the Schengen zone by the end of June if it complies with the 72 conditions set by the EU. However challenges remain on issues such as terrorism and fundamental rights.

Though world leaders are trying to find new ways to support refugees as discussed at the first World Humanitarian summit in Turkey this year, with an global increase of xenophobia and borders being closed to them in many areas like Macedonia a difficult year is certainly ahead for the millions of refugees who are struggling worldwide.


Michel Gabaudan on World Refugee Day

For more on World Refugee Day, CCTV America’s Mike Walter spoke to Michel Gabaudan, president of Refugees International.