Hope Away From Home
Hope Away From Home campaign
New survey shows enduring public support for refugees, alongside stark variations in attitudes
A new public attitudes survey from Ipsos and UNHCR, as part of UNHCR’s Hope Away from Home campaign, has found enduring public support for refugees, with three-quarters of adults (73%) believing that those fleeing war or persecution should be able to seek safety in other countries.
Against a backdrop of 117.3 million individuals worldwide forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict and violence and in a crisis-ridden world, the survey’s revelation of enduring public support for the right to seek safety gives hope as we continue to advocate for global solidarity, to keep doors open to refugees and work together for a world where refugees are welcomed.
UNHCR’s Hope Away from Home campaign is a renewed call for global solidarity and to protect the right to seek safety. We are advocating for governments to honour their moral and legal obligations to protect the rights of everyone forced to flee their homes.
73%*
of participants agreed that people fleeing war, violence and persecution should be able to take refuge in other countries, including their own
44%*
believe in refugees being able to integrate and -- for example -- access their full right to education, and nearly as many support their full access to healthcare and jobs (42%)
77%*
expressed support, to a varying degree, for policies that allow refugee families to be reunited in the country of asylum.
37%*
of the people surveyed, (almost two in five people) believe that international aid for countries hosting refugees is insufficient - with 75% of refugees living in low-and-middle-income countries.
Despite an enduring majority of people around the world supporting the principle of providing safety to refugees, the World Refugee Day UNHCR-Ipsos report reveals a sobering picture of public sentiment toward refugees across the world, with public concerns about refugees' ability to integrate and their overall contribution to societies. With security and economic anxieties revealed as key drivers of negative perceptions towards refugees, more needs to be done to promote fact-based narratives and counteract falsehoods to foster knowledge and empathy.
The survey of 33,202 people across 52 countries shows a complex picture of public perceptions of refugees and also tells us that despite this sober backdrop many people are still taking action to support refugees through donations or raising awareness through their personal social media channels (a third). That is a heartening sign of solidarity and hope in a sometimes dark world.
With the number of forcibly displaced people at a record high, and at a time of widespread conflict, political and economic upheaval in many parts of the world, refugees need our solidarity now more than ever.
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The need for solidarity with people seeking safety has never been greater
Today, a record number of people have been forced to flee their homes due to war, violence and persecution. More than 120 million people were forcibly displaced globally as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, or events seriously disturbing public order by May 2024, a historic new record propelled by new and long-lasting conflicts around the world.
We are witnessing rising hostility and xenophobia. The politicization of refugees and asylum seekers in many parts of the world is leading to more negative sentiment and harmful consequences for refugees and asylum seekers.
Together we must challenge this narrative and promote a more compassionate world towards refugees and people seeking safety from war, violence and persecution.
No one should have to pay with their lives or freedom to reach safety.
UNHCR’s five key asks of States
The Hope Away from Home campaign establishes five key asks of States with support from UNHCR and partners, to amend policies and introduce new practices so that all people fleeing war, violence and persecution can find and live in safety, without discrimination.
Access to safe territory and preventing people from facing violence or dying along the routes.
Adequate conditions and treatment for refugees in line with human rights, dignity and inclusion.
Accession to the Refugee Convention, lifting reservations and establishing efficient asylum procedures.
Increased access to durable solutions, including resettlement.
Solidarity and support to countries and communities hosting large refugee populations.
UNHCR works with partners, civil society, corporate partners and field operations to advance policy change to bring a real and lasting change in how the world responds to the growing refugee crisis.
OVER 1.1 MILLION SIGNATURES IN SOLIDARITY
On September 6th we launched the Hope Away From Home campaign, calling on world leaders to honor their legal and moral obligations to people seeking safety from war, violence, and persecution.
You, along with over 1.1 million other people, joined our solidarity movement, showing that compassion and kindness are greater than fear and discrimination.