Syrian Refugee Crisis, Research Paper Example

The subject matter of the research is the refugee crisis in Syria. The paper investigates the genesis and progression of the problem to its current state. It also evaluates the various players in the crisis and what roles they have played in the process, both positive and negative. The paper also evaluates the prospective future implications of the refugee crisis both in the region and globally.

The research on the crisis surrounding the refugees is of utmost importance. According to the United Nations, it is the biggest humanitarian crisis in the present time. The study, therefore, highlights the issues surrounding the crisis and possible solutions to the problems. It investigates what could have been done differently to avert the present problem. Hopefully, it will also be a model to learn from in issues surrounding human crises in the other parts of the world.

The paper looks at the roles of several international and local organizations in mitigating the impacts of the war on the refugees. Additionally, the plight of the refugees in the countries to which they have fled is brought into focus. The role of religion and various sects in the crisis, as well as the culture, is considered.

Country Profile

Syria is a country in the Western part of Asia. It got its independence from the French in 1946. Its capital is Damascus with Aleppo being the second largest city. Syria borders Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Israel. As at 2013, the country had a population of slightly over 22 million persons according to the United Nations figures. Its president since the year 2000 has been Bashar al-Assad, who inherited the throne from his father. Syria lost its control of the Golan Heights to Israel in the 1967 war. The country has had several conflicts both internally and externally. It has also been responsible for supporting armed opposition to the peace process with Israel, giving arms and financial support to militant groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.

The Civil War

The civil war that led to the refugees’ crisis began in March 2011. It was fueled by the Arab spring that had its genesis in Tunisia. The process of protests led to the fall of several governments in the Arab nations including Egypt, Libya, and Yemen among others. When the protests began in the country, the government began a crackdown on the dissidents using disproportionate force that led to the deaths of several people. The process drew the ire of many people who joined the process demanding the resignation of President Assad. He was not to give up; arming his troops to fight back and defend the government from the people he called terrorists. Meanwhile, the opposition got more organized and acquired arms, eventually forming the Free Syrian Army to fight for the overthrow of the government and also to defend itself from the security machinery.

The government got support from its allies in Russia, Iran and eventually the Hezbollah that sent soldiers to fight alongside the government troops. Russia has proved protective of the Syrian government using its veto power in the United Nations to stop UN resolution against the government a number of times. In its defense, it says it aims at ensuring a secular government remains in place as opposed to the religious groups fighting for control of portions of the country (Johnson 16).

The conflict in Syria appeared to take religious dimension over time. The President’s sect called Alawaite is an offshoot of the Shia religious group. Consequently, many nations that are predominantly Shia have been backing the government in crushing the rebellion. On the other hand, nations that are predominantly Sunni have been in support of the opposition, even supplying them with arms. The opposition has also had international backing in world powers such as the US, France, UN and others (Johnson 15). On the sectarian grounds, its notable support has come from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar.

At the height of the wars in August 2013, the Syria government was accused of using chemical weapons against the citizens in the rebel-held regions. The accusations were that it used a nerve agent, sarin, in its missiles aimed against the opposition and it caused deaths of the civilian population. There was an outcry against it, eventually the US threatening to join in the war against the government. The government consented to destroy its cache of the chemical weapons within a year.

The Islamic State took advantage of the situation to capture large portions of territory within the country and fight any other rebel group. Its brutality has seen it amputate and behead hundreds of persons opposing its rule. Its entrance into the conflict prompted the United States to launch airstrikes aimed at hindering its progress and capture of certain cities. For example, Kobane which was under the control of Kurds escaped the grip of ISIS.

Meanwhile, there were reports of human rights violations by both in groups in an effort o win the war over each other. There were accusations of massacres, bombings, and beheadings by both the protagonists in the war. Many people were already fleeing the country to other neighboring nations that were considered safe (Thibos et al. 3).

Casualties

The war `has led to the loss of many lives particularly innocent civilians. The UN reports indicated that about 90, 000 people had been killed in the war by June, 2013. In April, the following year, the number had more than doubled to 191,000. The following year April had seen about 220, 000 people killed in the armed conflict.

Negotiations

There have been numerous negotiations in a bid to bring peace, but none has been successful. Many nations have favored a political solution, but the government has refused any negotiations with the groups it considers terrorists (Thibos et al. 59). In 2014, there was a conference in Switzerland aimed at finding the political solution. The US, Russia, and UN were the main participants. The ceasefire that came from the process was never to last.

Refugee Crisis

The unrest in the country has seen thousands of people flee the country every day. They cross the borders to the neighboring countries. The journey is never safe as some of them get attacked by any of the opposing forces. They seek to capture the men to join their fighting ranks and supply the dwindling human power in the battle. Today, over 4 million have crossed the borders while another 7 million are displaced internally. It constitutes more than half of the population before the war began. The war has damaged the economy to the tune of hundred billions of dollars. Consequently, about 80% of Syrians are very poor.

The refugees mainly flee to Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. Those that had fled to Iraq encountered another war waged by the Islamic State and remain trapped there. Some died from the conflict. Countries such as Lebanon to which the refugees have fled have a weak infrastructure that is not able to support the humanitarian services.

International bodies such as UNHCR, IOM, and IRC lead the efforts to give relief to the refugees. The refugees live in despicable conditions without basic services such as water, healthcare, and sufficient food. The poor conditions of life increase the risk of communicable diseases such tuberculosis and polio. Countries such as Turkey, which received the population of refugees suddenly, face the problem of inadequate social amenity. It has led to tensions between the host community and the foreigners. The organizations are trying to work to ensure peaceful coexistence in the new environment. They offer counseling services to help those who have borne the brunt of war.

Several countries in Europe and Africa have welcomed the refugees. However, many cannot get work because of legal and language barriers (Johnson 109). The few odd jobs they get are low paying without good conditions. Governments in such countries make provisions to enable the children to attend school in the new countries. It is rather difficult considering the cultural and religious difference. Women center are also established to offer care to those that have gone through sexual violations in the course of the war.

Conclusion

The war in Syria has displaced millions of people both internally and externally. The conditions of their lives are not good. The humanitarian effort is limited in reach and effectiveness. The UN appeal for billions of dollars in aid has not received a positive response. However, the situation is dire requiring urgent measures. The entire world should come to the aid of the refugees. Also very importantly is to address the cause of the problem which is lack of political democracy and social justice. There is a need to address the social and political concerns of diverse groups of people in order to avoid such calamities in the future.

Works Cited

Duley, Giles. “Syrian Refugees: ‘We Want to Go Home. That Is Our Dream’.”Theguardian.com. The Guardian Staff, 5 Oct. 2014. Web. 6 May 2015.

IRC, The. “Syria Crisis: Health Threats for Refugees Living on the Fringe.” Syria Crisis: Health Threats for Refugees Living on the Fringe. International Rescue Committee, 28 Apr. 2014. Web. 04 May 2015.

Jazeera, Al, and Reuters. “Syrian Refugees Reach 3 Million, UN Says | Al Jazeera America.” Syrian Refugees Reach 3 Million, UN Says | Al Jazeera America. America.aljazeera, 29 Aug. 2014. Web. 06 May 2015.

Johnson, Howard. “Syrian Refugee Crisis in Jordan BBC News.” BBC News. Middle East Business Report, 2 Feb. 2015. Web. 05 May 2015.

Mitscherlich, Johanna. “2014: A Dire Year For Syrian Refugees – Viewing Blog Post – CARE Community.” CARE Community. CARE Staff, 31 Jan. 2014. Web. 06 May 2015.

Shah, Khushbu, and Greg Botelho. “Syrian Refugees Transform Camp – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 19 Feb. 2015. Web. 06 May 2015.

Staff, Amnesty.”Amnesty International.” Facts & Figures: Syria Refugee Crisis & International Resettlement. Amnesty International, 5 Dec. 2014. Web. 06 May 2015

Thibos, Cameron, Alain Navarr, and Ilan Moss. “Hello, World!” Syrian Refugees.N.p., 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 04 May 2015.

Welsh, Teresa. “The Challenge of the Syrian Refugee Response.” US News.U.S.News& World Report, 9 Jan. 2015. Web. 06 May 2015.