The United Nations (UN) on Tuesday called out rich nations to take more action in helping causes to ease the burdens of displaced people around the world. The UN said wealthy countries should have a "fair share" in lifting the refugees from their difficulties.
According to Channel News Asia, the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva opened with calls on rich nations to be more active in helping causes directed towards assisting displaced citizens.
UN chief Antonio Guterres noted in his opening speech that "gratitude is not enough" and that wealthier countries should play a more active role in shouldering the responsibility of helping displaced people find shelter and financial assistance to start their lives anew.
The meeting in Geneva is the first time that heads of state, business leaders, philanthropists, refugees, and government ministers came together to discuss the issue on displacement.
Among the issues tackled is the latest data that revealed 80 percent of the world's displaced people try to survive in developing or poor countries, making it harder for them to thrive in life.
Turkey is one of the countries that welcomes refugees despite the nation's own issues with poverty. Around five million displaced people, about 3.7 million of them Syrians, are being hosted in the country.
So far, the Turkish government has spent an estimated $4 billion to help the refugees find hope for the future. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during the conference that rich nations should be doing more to help the refugees move forward.
Costa Rica's President Carlos Alvarado Quesasda echoed Erdogan's sentiments. "We do need help to fulfill our task," he argued, adding that if they do not receive assistance, "we will be failing the most vulnerable."
As part of the efforts in bringing together groups to help refugees, the forum is expected to round up over 700 pledges of assistance. The aid includes but are not limited to financial donations, basic items that refugees need, as well as reforms to empower displaced citizens.
CNN noted that the gap between the number of refugees being added each year and the support being provided for them is growing instead of contracting. While several countries are already working to help the displaced, other nations are shying away from the responsibility.
Some refugee women are also being paid less than what they should receive, but the latest data indicate that displaced female workers actually have a lot to do with global GDP growth.
It remains to be seen whether wealthy nations will unite with respective groups and advocates to assist refugees as they build their lives and their children for the future.
