Ten Million Refugees​—Who Wants Them?

TRAN used to teach mathematics. Now he​—and 1,900 others—​struggle to survive in a crowded Thailand refugee camp. “Inadequate food and sanitation are our biggest problems,” the 27-year-old former teacher says.

Alan was a refugee of another kind. A crumbling economy and a harsh government sent him fleeing his Caribbean island home. The 700-mile (1,126-km) journey to the United States was a treacherous ordeal that terminated in a detention camp.

Since World War II well over 40 million people have suffered the fate of the refugee. They have trudged across burning deserts, hacked through jungles and been tossed about by angry seas in their tiny, rickety boats. Thousands have died before reaching their destination. Thousands more have suffered the indignity of being packed into settlements frighteningly akin to World War II concentration camps. Authorities estimate that by 1982 there were well over ten million refugees worldwide!

The world’s response to this grim reality has so far been less than overwhelming. Meager funds and political realities seriously hamstring relief efforts. And while the Universal Declaration of Human Rights gives individuals the right to ‘seek and enjoy asylum,’ there is little guarantee that the country to which they flee will actually grant it.

Further, not all are considered legitimate refugees. This term is generally limited to persons who have fled their native land because of political, racial or religious persecution. By this definition, however, those escaping economic deprivation or natural disaster may receive, not refugee status, but the disdained designation of “illegal alien.”

Who, then, wants the world’s homeless? Not many. Integrating them into a foreign land with a different language and culture can be traumatic for all concerned. Refugees, too, often do not have the skills necessary to find jobs. Those that do are often resented for siphoning off jobs from local residents. Hence, many prefer simply to ignore the plight of the refugee as a problem for government bureaucrats. But, as you will see, it is not an issue to be ignored.

Legacy of Our Troubled Times

THE problem of the refugee is not a new one. History’s tides have often swept large masses of people away from their homes. The makeup of Europe, for example, is largely the result of migrations that erupted following the debacle of the Roman Empire. One would think, however, that such tragic movements of humanity would belong to the past. Yet, a former UN high commissioner for refugees recently indicated that “mass exodus is becoming a tragically permanent feature of our times.” Why?

The Era of the Refugee

As the Bible foretold, peace has been taken away from the earth since 1914. (Revelation 6:4) The opening shots of World War I signaled sweeping social, political and economic changes. The eruption of a second world war underscored this fact, leaving in its wake some 11 million European refugees.

After World War II, relief efforts focused on resettling these uprooted ones. But the war had also tolled the death knell for colonialism. Throughout Asia and Africa new nations began to emerge, paying in bloodshed and socio-economic chaos for their “independence.” Thousands of Europeans found themselves ousted from their adopted nations. Internal political upheavals also resulted in the exodus of thousands of local residents. And so it continues today. One million in the past six years have fled Ethiopia in the face of war and drought. Well over a quarter of a million fled Zimbabwe during its 1972-1979 internal conflicts.

Asia and Central and South America have similarly suffered mass migrations as the result of political change. The year 1947, for example, saw India gain independence from Great Britain. The subsequent slicing of this vast subcontinent into religiously divided India and Pakistan, however, triggered a nationwide bloodbath. Hindus and Muslims in both countries fled to their respective territories for refuge. It was one of the largest population “exchanges” in history​—18,000,000 people. As many as 10 percent of these refugees were killed or died of starvation and exhaustion before they could reach their new home. The partitioning of North and South Korea similarly spawned refugees​—1.8 million of them. And today Thailand must house almost 200,000 who have fled war in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

These massive population upheavals are but one indication that the problems plaguing man since 1914 are out of control! As further evidence of this, consider today’s economic refugee.

A Worn-Out Welcome?

“OUT WITH THE TURKS,” cried the hand-painted sign. It reflected a growing hostility among Germans toward the more than 1.4 million that have migrated from Turkey. And this in spite of the fact that they had entered the country at the invitation of Germany! Their plight is rather typical of yet another refugee movement​—the economic refugee. Such ones are not necessarily fleeing some oppressive government or religious persecution and are thus not considered bona fide refugees. Yet they are fleeing bankrupt economies, unemployment, unbearable inflation​—even starvation. Like bona fide refugees, they very often face hostility from the nation they chose as their place of refuge.

This reminds us of a situation that developed long ago in Egypt. Recall that the nation of Israel first went there as ‘alien residents’ when famine forced them to trek to Egypt for provisions. Pharaoh, indebted to Israelite Joseph for foretelling the famine and planning for it, invited the Israelites to reside in Goshen. (Genesis, chapters 41, 42 and 47) But the welcome did not last long.

“Growing Antirefugee Sentiment”

Tensions grew between the Israelites and the Egyptians as languages, cultures and religions clashed. Egyptian farmers especially resented the land-consuming flocks of the Israelites. A shift in Egypt’s rulership then occurred. The Israelites suddenly found themselves enslaved by the very ones who had befriended them.​—Exodus 1:8-11.

Similarly today, during periods of prosperity, aliens are frequently welcome, as they are often willing to work at jobs that residents disdain. Europe, for example, has some 12.5 million migrant workers. Said Business Week: “Two and a half years of slow economic growth, the decline of major heavy industries, and now factory automation are making jobs scarce and foreign jobholders an increasing target of racial pressures.”

Adding to the tension is the fact that many economic refugees have entered the United States illegally. It is estimated that from 40,000-50,000 Haitians have immigrated illegally since 1972. And from economically parched Mexico also pours a daily flood of thousands more, desperate for employment.

But massive influxes of refugees​—both legitimate and economic—​strain national resources and tolerance to the limit. Time magazine, for example, reported “a growing antirefugee sentiment in Congress . . . in the face of a declining U.S. economy and shrinking social programs.” And many other nations are similarly rolling up their welcome mats.

A recent incident in Nigeria illustrates just how unwelcome economic refugees can suddenly become.

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Many economic refugees enter a country illegally in search of employment

Nigeria Unloads Her “Burden”

By “Awake!” correspondents in Nigeria and Ghana

“EXODUS of the Unwanted.” “Nigeria’s Outcasts: The Cruel Exodus.” With searing headlines, the international press publicized one of the most massive concentrated movements of people in Africa’s history. This was not a triumphant exodus of a liberated people, nor a frightened flight from oppression or war. It was an exodus of nearly two million people, forced out at the order of the Nigerian government.

Oil and the West African Community

By 1975 Nigeria had largely recovered from the ravages of civil war and become a major oil producer. The new oil wealth gave her increasing international financial clout and political recognition. Nigeria therefore took the major initiative in establishing ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) in May 1975. The purpose? To erect frameworks for trade and economic cooperation. As a result, ECOWAS citizens could visit member nations for up to three months without a visa.

This opened the floodgates of migration. “All roads led to Nigeria,” the wealthiest and most populous nation in the community. Foreigners from countries like Chad and Ghana passed through its immigration checkpoints sometimes at the rate of 3,000 persons a day! The greatest influx, however, came imperceptibly, stealthily​—and illegally—​across the country’s porous, unpatrolled borders. Nigerians, though, for the most part welcomed the immigrants. They provided cheap, skilled and unskilled labour in jobs often unattractive to Nigerians. But as with any huge migration, there were large numbers of undesirables. So it was not long before problems developed.

Immigrants Become a “Burden”

By 1978 the influx of immigrants was already causing concern. Many felt that cheap foreign labour was contributing to the growing unemployment of Nigerians. According to the Nigerian press, in 1980, and again in 1982, religious riots fomented by illegal immigrants resulted in the death of thousands of people. Unemployed immigrants formed armed gangs, robbing, killing and raping innocent citizens. Thousands of immigrant women were engaging in prostitution. Aggressive alien beggars​—men, women and little children—​became a nuisance.

Some therefore feared for the social and political security of the country. In 1980 they began speaking out against “illegal immigrants” and “unwanted aliens.” In response, the Nigerian government in 1981 called on all non-Nigerian Africans residing in the country to register at immigration offices. Little, however, was done to enforce this law.

Then came 1982. Nigeria became a victim of the international oil glut, which, combined with inflation, resulted in economic recession. As the Lagos Daily Times expressed it: “The gloomy picture of the economy was enough signal to the Federal Government that Nigeria can no longer play the role of ‘father christmas.’” So the people who had come in on the tide of the oil boom and economic plenty were about to be forced out on the receding economic tide.

The Exodus

The government’s “quit” order of January 17, 1983, giving all illegal immigrants two weeks to either regularize their status or “quit” (leave) was therefore no surprise. Nigerian landlords evicted immigrant tenants. Employers laid off immigrant workers. As a result, most unregistered aliens packed their belongings quickly. One Ghanaian man had recently told friends he would leave Nigeria only at gunpoint. “Even so,” said he, “it will be a slow march home.” But the gathering momentum of the exodus turned his predicted “slow march” into a gallop.

So by the hundreds of thousands they left, cramming into minibuses and trucks piled high with their motley belongings, jamming the roads, crowding into the international seaport and airport in Lagos. But where could they go? Ghana’s border was closed. Both Benin and Togo likewise closed their borders for fear that hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians would be trapped inside those countries. Until this problem was ironed out, waiting crowds, including children and pregnant women, suffered hunger and unhealthy conditions. Naturally, the Benin and Togo authorities did what they could to be helpful. January 29, 1983, however, saw Ghana open her borders. The world now witnessed a scene extraordinary as the waves of humanity surged into Benin, across Togo, into Ghana and beyond.

Ghana had already set up a Special Evacuation Task Force to handle this influx. The spacious grounds of the Trade Fair site at Labadi, Accra, were designated as a reception centre for those arriving by road and boat. By Sunday morning, however, the Fair grounds were choked, forcing the opening of several other centres. An urgent call went out for car owners to lend their cars to the government’s evacuation fleet. Amazingly, the returnees were so efficiently dispersed throughout Ghana, it was not necessary to set up refugee camps.

Each returnee had a story to tell. One Ghanaian man managed to reach the border town of Aflao and wondered how he would ever get to Accra. Suddenly he heard a loud commotion as loaves of bread were being thrown from a slow-moving van, and people rushed to catch them in midair. Leaving that scene, he started walking toward Accra but was forced to return to Aflao where a frantic struggle to board buses was taking place. Soon he spotted a loaded truck stuck in the traffic. “I mustered the little energy left in me,” said he, “threw my travelling bag into the truck and started slowly climbing. I was profoundly grateful to feel a steady push from someone behind me, which got me into the truck. There about a hundred of us endured the three-hour journey to Accra.”

Adversity at times promoted camaraderie. Some returnees shared their provisions with perfect strangers. Strong ones helped weaker ones to obtain food. At the airports some even shared their money with fellow travellers. But adversity also produced savagery. One hungry returnee had his meal taken away from him at knife point. A woman carrying a basket of food to a reception centre never got to serve it​—it was swiftly grabbed by hungry returnees.

At the airports and seaports people similarly had to endure the crush of humanity until boats and planes evacuated them. Many fell into the water, and at least one drowned as the pressing crowds struggled to board the boats. The returnees, however, quickly organized themselves into a rescue squad. And with each successful rescue, a wave of thunderous applause rippled through the crowd​—Ghanaian and Nigerian alike. Finally they set sail, as jam-packed as bristles on a coat brush.

The Aftermath

This has been called the cruel exodus, and so it has been in some respects. Many feel that the order was too sudden and that the period of two weeks was too short. However, Nigerian commentators remind us that illegal aliens were long ago instructed to regularize their immigration status and that only those who failed to do this were affected. And Nigerian authorities did try to minimize the suffering of the departing aliens. They were allowed to take along their properties and earnings. Limited medical aid was provided. The Nigerian Transport Owners’ Association volunteered 200 trailers free of charge for use in the evacuating of people from all over the country. And many individuals gave financial assistance on a personal level. Nigerians claim, too, that they already feel relief as employment and housing opportunities have opened up.

Nevertheless, the Nigerian action certainly bruised international relations. And in unburdening herself, Nigeria was shifting a heavy social and financial load back onto much poorer countries. Ghana alone now has over one million new mouths to feed and has made an international appeal for aid. In response, financial and material aid has been sent to Ghana, Togo and Benin by several foreign countries and organizations. Nigeria, too, has voted one million dollars (U.S.) in aid.

So what future have the returnees? Whether you call them refugees, deportees or evicted illegal aliens, their plight is a dramatic underscore of the perplexing, unsolvable problems world leaders must wrestle with​—a stinging indictment of a world that can no longer care for its inhabitants.

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What future for people like these?

Who Will Care for the Refugee?

“SHARE your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor.” Thus spoke God by the mouth of his prophet Isaiah to those who were keen on religious ritual but dull of feeling for their fellowman. (Isaiah 58:7, Today’s English Version) However, few nations today can or will do this. Succumbing to selfishness or cultural, racial and religious prejudices, they shut not only ‘the door of their tender compassions’ but also their jealously guarded national borders. (1 John 3:17) Yet callously closing one’s eyes to the plight of millions will not make the problem go away. As long as there is political strife, as long as there is oppression, as long as there is starvation and poverty, there will be refugees. What, then, can be done?

World Government​—The Real Answer

A change in earth’s rule is the only real solution. And by this we do not mean some political change that would likely send still more millions fleeing. Rather, we refer to the Bible’s promise that God through Christ will take over the management of the earth. (Matthew 6:10) Does this seem incredible?

Not when you consider that God has a personal interest in the future of this earth. “He the true God, the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited.” (Isaiah 45:18) In his due time he will intervene and strip earthly governments of their power to ruin.​—Daniel 2:44.

The effects on earth of this heavenly rule will be astounding. War and war weapons will be disposed of. (Psalm 46:8-11) “Plenty of grain” will be provided to feed all of earth’s populace. (Psalm 72:16) And there will be no more homeless ones. Earth’s inhabitants will “certainly build houses and have occupancy.” (Isaiah 65:21) No one will ever feel obliged to flee God’s benevolent rulership!

Jehovah’s Witnesses already give evidence of the Kingdom’s influence in their lives. For one thing, they practice neighborly love as part of their worship. (Matthew 19:19) During the recent Nigerian exodus Jehovah’s Witnesses in Ghana shared in feeding and providing overnight accommodations for the returnees.

But while such humanitarian efforts produce good, Jehovah’s Witnesses know that far more lasting good is accomplished by helping others to learn about and develop a faith in God’s Kingdom. God “will wipe out every tear from [our] eyes.” (Revelation 21:4) And never again will man suffer the agonies of the refugee.

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Under God’s Kingdom, never again will there be homeless people