In 2021, UNHCR estimated that around 82 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced (UNHCR, 2020). Children under the age of 18 make up 30% of the world’s population, yet account for 42% of forcibly displaced people worldwide (UNHCR, 2020). In 2016, the number of refugee and asylum children stood at almost 12 million (OECD, 2019). In addition, around one million children are estimated to have been born into a refugee life between 2018 and 2020 (UNHCR, 2020). When repatriation and resettlement in one’s country of origin fails, the only other viable option is local integration. Integrating entails acquiring legal status both for the child and the immediate family, residency permit, health insurance, and access to immediate and equitable education, all of which has shown to lead to independent sustainable outcomes both for the child and his family in the near future (UNHCR, 2020). In particular, equitable access to education allows the refugee children a better social and emotional well-being, promotes social inclusion, and creates a more just and healthy society.
Authors: Dr. Roza Eynula
Publish Year: 2021
