The world’s six wealthiest countries host less than 9% of the world’s refugees, according to a new Oxfam report.
While poorer countries and territories are shouldering most of the responsibility, reported further says.
Oxfam’s analysis shows that collectively the United States, China, Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom hosted 2.1 million refugees and asylum seekers last year – just 8.88 percent of the world total.
Germany takes the largest share of refugees among the world’s richest countries (around 700,000), with the remaining 1.4 million split between the other five nations.
In sharp contrast, the nations that host more than half of the world’s refugees and asylum seekers account for less than 2% of the world’s GDP.
Top six wealthiest countries Country . of refugees and asylum seekers hosted:
- United States 559,370
- China 301,729
- Japan 16,305
- Germany 736,740
- United Kingdom 168,937
- France 336,183
2119,264 refugees and asylum seekers, or 8.88% of the world’s total 56.6% of cumulative global GDP
Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon, South Africa and Palestine collectively host almost 12 million people.
Ahead of back-to-back summits this September that will focus on the global refugee and migration crisis in New York, Oxfam is calling for wealthier nations to pull their weight.
“It is shameful so many governments are turning their backs on the suffering of millions of vulnerable people who have fled their homes and are often risking their lives to reach safety,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam International, in a statement.
Top six countries/territories hosting refugees and asylum seekers (includes figures from UNHCR and UNRWA for Palestinian refugees)
Country/Territory No. of refugees and asylum seekers hosted:
- Jordan 2,806,414
- Turkey 2,753,760
- Occupied Palestinian Territory 2,051,096
- Pakistan 1,567,604
- Lebanon 1,535,662
- South Africa 1, 217,708
11,932,244 refugees and asylum seekers, or 50.02% of the world’s total 1.9% of cumulative global GDP
“Poorer countries are shouldering the duty of protecting refugees when it should be a shared responsibility,” she added.
According to the UNHCR Globals Trends 2015 report, more than 65 million people have left their homes due to violence, war and human rights violations, the highest number since records began. Most of these (40.8 million) are displaced within their own country, with 21.3 million as refugees and 3.2 million awaiting asylum decisions in industrialised countries. The conflict in Syria has played a large role in this displacement, as have conflicts in Burundi, Central African Republic, Iraq, Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen.
