Refugee Resettlement: What Is It & Why Is It So Important?

Recently, over 65 million people have been uprooted from their homes. That's more than the entire population of the UK!

Did you know recently, that more people have had to flee their homes due to war, violence or persecution than at any time since World War Two? Recent figures released by the UNHCR, show that over 65 million people have been uprooted from their homes. That's more than the entire population of the UK!

At Ben & Jerry's, we believe everyone needs a safe place to call home and right now, there's a chance to offer safety to those uprooted as the EU debates a law to safely resettle thousands of vulnerable refugees. Let's dig in...

So, What Exactly is Refugee Resettlement?

Resettlement gives refugees the chance to rebuild their lives. Once someone has been forced to seek refuge in a country that is not their home, resettlement gives them an option to seek longer-term safety in another country - in this case, one in Europe. It offers the most vulnerable a safe route from their first country of refuge to permanent protection in Europe. Once refugees arrive, local authorities and communities are involved in supporting them, whether it's learning the local language, helping to find work, or integrating children into schools.

How Does it Work?

Resettlement is widely regarded as an important part of the solution to the refugee crisis. Evidence shows it offers social and economic benefits to both refugees and new host countries. Here's how the process typically works (with some exceptions):

• Step 1: The UN Refugee Agency identifies particularly vulnerable refugees for resettlement.
• Step 2: The UN then gives a list of people for resettlement to the governments of countries that resettle, based on the needs of the refugees and the conditions of the resettlement countries.
• Step 3: Resettlement countries review the case and screen the refugees submitted for resettlement.
• Step 4: Once accepted by a resettlement country, they are safely flown over and settled into a community with a home and local community sponsors.

Sounds Ace! So What Needs to Change?

At the moment, various countries in Europe have different resettlement programmes... but the numbers of resettled people are embarrassingly low. Along with our partner, the International Rescue Committee, we're calling for Europe to resettle at least 108,000 refugees per year for the next five years.

Countries have not been combining their efforts on this issue - fewer than 14,000 people were resettled to Europe in 2016! But this could all soon change...

A Historic Opportunity

The EU is currently debating a new law that would create a coordinated resettlement programme for Europe which could raise resettlement numbers. This historic piece of legislation would mean many more vulnerable refugees could find safety, and the system could become far more efficient both for refugees and for the countries wishing to resettle them. We're facing a unique opportunity to help thousands of refugees all over the world... but only if we show that people all over Europe agree!

What Can You Do?

By sending just ONE email to your representative in Brussels, you could help pass a law that brings vulnerable refugees to safety! So what are you waiting for?! Click here NOW to take the action, then share with your friends and family too. The more voices we get to speak out, the more likely the legislation is to make a difference to the lives of refugees!