Today let us focus on a topic which is of utmost importance yet most of us skip it because it’s not impacting our lives directly yet. Yes, we are talking about the Forced Migration Across Asia-Pacific which has increased multifold in the last few decades. If we look at the stats as per UNHCR, approximately 8.5 million persons of concern were present across Asia as of the end of 2000 which has risen up to 17.3 million persons of concern across Asia-Pacific in the year 2024 (which is the last data available as per date), The total percentage increase is more than 100%. Persons of Concern is referred to the displaced people/ impacted lot.
First and the foremost reason is Internal displacement of People, a trend which has been growing from many years and still continues to impact the landscape of Asia-Pacific with countries like Myanmar and Afghanistan adding maximum to this number. Emerging crises such as the Rohingya exodus since the year 2017 has also added drastically to this number as well as Syrian and Iraqi displacements into Turkey and Iran. A lot of persecution has taken place based on Identity along with Economic and Political Instability. Ethnic and religious persecution is a significant factor in forced migration, especially in South Asia.
The second most important factor here for displacement/forced Migration is Climate. The Asia-Pacific region is a global hotspot for climate induced displacement, with an estimated 80% of the world’s disaster related displacement taking place in Asia-Pacific. A lot of such disaster displacements are caused by sudden-onset events such as floods and storms, which are unfortunately increasing in intensity and frequency. Gradual environmental changes like droughts, desertification, and rising sea levels have also forced people to move, however it’s really difficult to measure it, track it and quantify it exactly. Natural disasters also play a key role here and one such disaster has been Covid-19. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted livelihoods across the Asia-Pacific, pushing millions into poverty and displacement. Lockdowns and job losses forced migrant workers to return home, often without income or support. Border closures stranded refugees and asylum seekers, worsening their vulnerability. In densely populated areas, health risks and lack of access to services deepened inequality, while informal workers and coastal communities faced long-term economic insecurity. Overall, the pandemic intensified existing social and economic pressures, creating new waves of internal and cross-border displacement across the region.
Let’s look at how it has impacted lives so far and what are the challenges encountered by the continent when faced with such difficult opportunities.
_ Added Strain on the Host Countries; Most of the refugees are generally hosted in low- and middle-income countries that lack the resources to provide adequate support and this leads to overcrowded camps and very limited access to basic services.
_ Forged migration not only impacted the refugees but also undermined inclusive and sustainable development in that particular region.
_ Socioeconomic challenges to the displaced population. Major displaced populations often face challenges which are related to livelihood, food security and Inflation. Migrants are generally at high risk of being exploited in the host country, they could be poorly paid and concentrated in low-skill, informal sector jobs, facing exploitation and abuse. Marginalised groups and especially the children are at a risk of abuse, exploitation and trafficking.
What could be potential solutions to such a situation?
Boost of resilience and connectivity by enabling legitimate access to livelihoods and education in their migrant countries. Such countries are termed as ‘transit’ countries but refugees end up staying there for several years and decades. It would be a beneficial situation for everyone if there is sufficient education and enough pathways are available for refugees to contribute to their host communities so that they are sufficiently equipped for employment and add value to everywhere they go. But in such a situation, it’s highly important that the right amount of funds is deployed properly by the Humanitarian agencies and subsequently by the state/ relevant governments so that the refugees do not become a burden to anyone.
Countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, with ageing populations and a reliance on migrant labour, could also benefit from a younger workforce composed of migrants and refugees. Now this move will not only address workforce shortages but it would also boost economic growth and tax revenue.
Combating forced migration in the Asia-Pacific region requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach that can tackle both- the root cause and the protection gaps which are being faced by displaced populations. The Asia Pacific region experiences large-scale displacement due to conflict, persecution, economic instability and increasingly, climate change and natural disasters. To address these challenges, governments must strengthen peacebuilding efforts, promote inclusive governance, and reduce inequality and discrimination that often force people to flee. As of date, several countries are not signatories to the 1951 Refugee Convention which leaves refugees and asylum seekers without formal safeguards. Timely investment and awareness in climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and early warning systems can also prevent climate-induced displacement.
Lastly, stronger partnerships among governments, UN agencies, and civil society organizations can enhance humanitarian response, resettlement programs, and community reintegration. Together, these efforts can help create a more humane and sustainable approach to managing forced migration across the region.
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