Every day, families flee their homes across the globe. Some find sanctuary in a new country; others migrate to escape back-breaking poverty. And still others are displaced within their own nations. In the 21st century, as well as persecution and conflict, people are being displaced by natural disasters (often caused by climate change), drought, hunger and war – all of which have a major impact on their ability to live a normal life.

Displaced people need sanctuary, but often they are not welcomed. Host states are often concerned about the potential security threat posed by refugee communities, especially when they are situated in regions that are vulnerable to violent instability and protracted conflicts. They may also be worried about the impact of refugees on their own economies. And they may be afraid that refugees will seek to gain political status or become recruits for armed groups that could threaten national security.

The way a host state responds to a refugee crisis depends on the historical context in which the displacement is occurring. For example, a state that has already hosted Palestinian refugees in the past is likely to react differently to a displacement crisis in Syria than one in Somalia. And it is important to remember that while state security and refugee protection may seem to be unrelated – or even opposing – factors, they are closely interlinked. In fact, policies that attempt to resolve a refugee crisis in isolation from the broader regional security environment will usually end up failing and creating more displacement.