UN declares that world is facing more conflict than at any time since the Second World War

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“...As we meet today, one quarter of humanity lives in conflict-affected areas. Two billion people. Last year, 84 million were forcibly displaced because of conflict, violence and human rights violations.“ [1] 

– UN Secretary-General António Guterres

 

On Wednesday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres shared his chilling remarks at a meeting of the UN’s Peacekeeping Commission. In his speech, he spelled out how the toll of multiple human rights crises are negatively impacting the global community. The events causing the disruptions and displacements include: cyber and nuclear threats, climate change, war, and Covid-19.

Guterres explained that the world was facing more conflict than at any time since WWII. Lastly, he stressed that in 2021, 84 million people were forcibly displaced.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, the refugee crisis has exploded. In Ukraine alone, “more than 10 million people – have been forced from their homes. Some 3.7 million refugees have been forced to flee the country, making this the fastest-growing refugee crisis since the Second World War. An additional 6.5 million people have been displaced within Ukraine’s borders, and at least 13 million are estimated to be stranded in affected areas or unable to leave due to heightened security risks, destruction of bridges and roads, as well as lack of resources or information on where to find safety and accommodation.”

And the multiple other human rights disasters have not abated. The refugee crisis caused by the conflict in Syria is categorized by the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency as “the world’s largest displacement crisis. More than 13 million people have either fled the country or are displaced within its borders.”[2]

The crisis in Ukraine and ensuing refugee crisis is an unfolding tragedy. The Ukrainian refugees are rightfully described as innocent victims. The international outpouring of support for these white Europeans, however, has highlighted the stark inequality between the treatment and acceptance of different refugee communities. Stories of non-white residents of Ukraine being blocked from rescue missions are numerous. Similarly, the media coverage of this crisis is vastly different.  In the United States, the media coverage of these white, Christian Europeans seeking safety is quite different than the coverage of refugees from Syria, Yemen, Central America, Myanmar, and Ethiopia. This begs the question: Are the victims of these other disasters not also innocent? How can we ensure that all refugees are supported?

No one flees from their home and risks their lives and the lives of their families unless the circumstances are hopeless and lethal. The current refugee crisis as a result of Russia’s war on Ukraine is an opportunity to analyze media narratives and increase media literacy  in your classroom. Additionally, speaking to students about the media coverage of this crisis is an opportunity to teach about global issues and critical thinking. It also offers an opportunity to look at domestic policies regarding refugees.

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Notes:

[1] “‘War’s Greatest Cost Is Its Human Toll’, Secretary-General Reminds Peacebuilding Commission, Warning of ‘Perilous Impunity’ Taking Hold,” United Nations, March 30, 2022, https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sgsm21216.doc.htm.

[2] “Eleven years on, mounting challenges push many displaced Syrians to the brink,” United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, March 15, 2022, https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/briefing/2022/3/623055174/eleven-years-mounting-challenges-push-displaced-syrians-brink.html.