There were more displaced people in the world at the end of last year then there is in the whole of the U.K; nearly 70 million people. And every day the numbers are increasing.
Some are migrants, but the vast majority are refugees and asylum seekers, fleeing war zones and natural disasters.
We’ve all seen the dangerous and desperate attempts many have made to try make it to Europe especially; but the most populated refugee camps are actually in Turkey and Uganda.
A couple of camps have managed to retain some sense of normality and routine, allowing residents to utilise their skills. Schools and hospitals have been set up and thousands of businesses have been started in the Zaatari camp in Jordan, where even specialist stores have been built – there’s 7 wedding dress shops in that camp alone!
However, that is just not the case in most other camps – like the overcrowded Moira camp in Greece, where ‘rain soaks through the tents, and there is a lack of electricity and hot water in the showers, even in winter’; where there are violent attacks and fights daily and little to no food.
Even those who have witnessed and experienced unimaginable horrors have said that – it is even “more dangerous there than anything they’d left behind”.
These settlements were built for short term use to meet basic human needs. So surely these camps are not seen as a feasible long term solution. Surely not the best ideas that we have? Especially as while millions wait for their asylum to be approved, children are left with massive gaps in their education; and theres usually little access to health care or opportunities to work…
Instead of ‘unsustainable aid hand-outs’, it’s been suggested that these camps be developed into the ‘big cites’ of the future, where they’d be houses and farms, factories and shopping centres, schools, hospitals and much more. A real home away from home, allowing economic growth and prosperity. A real time to heal and rebuild, and also maybe an opportunity to try out new sustainable approaches to living.
Billions have been spent by Western governments trying to keep people out but why not invest that in people and future ideas?
CLINICALLY ABEAST 