UNHCR+-+AUSTRALIA

Name: Kaycee Jones County: Australia High School: Arundel Date: 1/30/14

=**Syrian Refugee Crisis**=

Australia is supporting the refugees of Syria by raising money. The Syrian civil war has caused millions to become displaced with no food, water, money, or shelter. This is a huge issue that will need lots of attention to be resolved. The UNHCR is doing what it can to provide shelter in neighboring countries of Syria. Many countries are supporting the UNHCR by giving monetary funds to volunteer groups that assist in the refugee camps.

The Syrian civil war has caused more than 9.3 million people to be in need of assistance. Since the beginning of the war that began in March 2011, more than 2.5 million Syrians have fled their homeland to find a place where they feel that they are safe. These innocent citizens have traveled treacherous routes to neighboring countries including Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan. They risk their lives to find safe places for them and their families. With no money, food, shelter, and a rise in disease, death is becoming normal to these refugees. Australia is doing its best to help get these innocent Syrians out of suffering.

Syria has had political unstability since gaining its independence from France in 1946. The country is currently ran by Bashar al-Assad, who is a member of the Ba'ath party. The war began in 2011 when rebels started to protest against the Syrian government in the streets of Syria. Groups including t he Free Syrian Army, Syrian National council, and National Coordination committee all have different motives for this civil war. Although international countries disagree with the use of chemical weapons towards the citizens of Syria, they fear that becoming involved in the war will just cause more trouble. Supporting extremist groups like these may cause rivalries between the Syrian government and the countries trying to help. This could possibly lead to more unwanted violence in the region. As of now there is no solution to this conflict, which means that these refugees will continue to suffer. Australia is doing all that it can raise money for these Syrian refugees. Australia has currently raised 3.3 million of its 4 million dollar goal.

Although Australia is more than 7000 miles away from Syria, they can still play a part in the help efforts to assist the displaced refugees in Syria. Because it would be very difficult to transport refugees to Australia, Australia should work to double their goal of 4 million dollars to give to the UNHCR to improve the conditions in the refugee camps in Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. The sanitary conditions in the refugee camp are terrible which leads to an increase in disease throughout the camp. Australia could also send groups of volunteer doctors to aide in helping decrease diseases in these camps.  I am looking forward to discussing possible solutions to aide these innocent people of Syria.  = Effective Asylum and Protection Systems =

The UNHCR was created in 1950 in response to World War II. Since being established, the committee has been able to help 33.9 million refugees that were in need of assistance. The main goal of the UNHCR is to provide refugees with the main living necessities including food, water, shelter, and medical attention. The UNHCR works to make asylum process simpler for the displaced people who are trying to become titled as refugees. As of now there are many complications because many countries have different policies regarding the asylum process. Before becoming a refugee there is a refugee status determination (RSD) period in which the asylum seekers are detained for months or even years. Many people travel illegally among migrants and have no idea that they even qualify as a refugee. When they reach the border the patrol men have a hard time differentiating between the illegal migrants and the refugees. This leaves the refugees lives at risk. Refugees are often victims of abuse and racism within their host countries. Most refugees that are attempting to seek food, shelter, and water are still living in poverty within their host countries. The amount of food and water is being stretched due to the consistent incoming refugees. The UNHCR is doing its best to find solutions to all of these problems.

Australia is ranked the third highest resettlement country in the world. Between the years of 2010- 2011, Australia has granted nearly 6000 overseas refugees with permanent visas. The decision of who becomes accepted into Australia is determined by the Department of Immigration. It is a tedious process being granted into Australia because of the long list of criteria that the refugee must meet, including everything up to the refugees connection to Australia. If anything criteria is not met, the refugee will most likely not be granted a visa. The Department of immigration understands the need for immediate family to stay together. Therefore if one family member is a granted a permanent visa, the other immediate family members will more than likely be granted that same visa.

Australia has an asylum system that its pretty well planned out. They have requirements and laws planned out that for the incoming refugees. They have 4 offshore visa categories planned for different situations. They accept only certified documents for proof of identification. Other countries that struggle for asylum system should have different visa categories for the refugees. They should require only certified documents as well. Although there is a higher demand for refugee acceptance in countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Turkey, there should some sort of maximum number of accepted refugees. The goal of the UNHCR is to provide the refugees with life necessities and having double the maximum number of refugees at one camp for example, does not allow the protection they need. The UNHCR should work to open up for refugee camps in struggling countries. All countries should have the same policies to decrease confusion during the refugee process.

I look forward to discussing possible solution because I feel that it is important create an asylum system with as little flaw as possible.

 