A refugee crisis happens when people are displaced by conflict or disaster. They are often left homeless or without adequate food and shelter, and have limited access to health care and education. The world needs to address the root causes of displacement. This includes addressing the lack of security in countries where people are most vulnerable to violence, including by gangs and the state; addressing climate change and economic instability; and supporting efforts to prevent the collapse of states that produce large numbers of refugees.

The causes of a refugee crisis also include the way in which governments deal with those fleeing conflict and disaster. When a country of first asylum is overwhelmed by the number of displaced persons, it can destabilize and even trigger conflict. This is more likely when host states view the refugee population in strategic terms, such as using it to gain concessions from a third party or for other political purposes. It also increases the likelihood of scapegoating and manipulation by refugees themselves, who become desperate for a better life in their new home. It is vital to provide enough funds for states to meet their humanitarian obligations, and to support them in maintaining a rights-respecting asylum space in the face of conflict or natural disasters.

Governments should investigate and prosecute traffickers who exploit migrants, and put the safety of people seeking asylum above all else. They must also stop blaming refugees and migrants for economic problems and combat racism and xenophobia. They must give refugees and migrants the right to work, and ensure that this does not jeopardize their safety or the ability of their children to access education, medical services and other necessities.