Issues Faced by Refugees and Disabled People
Introduction
Peaceful coexistence among individuals is usually significant for a country and the world in the general, for the reason that it prevents the war which eventually leads to death. Nonetheless, there are a number of factors which tend to lead to conflicts, such as religious differences, civil wars, and anti-immigration wars. These acts have often led to conflicts which have resulted in displacement of persons from their homes. In so doing, victims become dependent on others since they cannot be able to tend to their needs as they were initially doing. In order to achieve peaceful coexistence, the United Nations (UN), together with its member states have forged different strategies. For that reason, this paper will describe the aforementioned social conditions and how they interact to produce vulnerable groups, and also discuss the strategies that can be implemented by the UN to assist these vulnerable groups.
Over the past few years, different countries such as Sudan and Somalia were faced by civil wars which affected both countries’ economies. The war had been attributed to cultural differences which led to deaths, as well as injuries, with many becoming disabled. Most people had to run to neighbouring countries, and were consequently take as refugees. The victims of the fled and became refugees, with most of them sustaining injuries which rendered them disabled. The war lasted for a period 17 years, forcing people to abandon their business in pursuit of safety in other countries. The same also happened in Sudan, and the country had to split into two nations the South Sudan and the Republic of Sudan (Koops et al 822, 2015). The main differences between these two countries were cultural differences, whereby the Northern government which was dominated by the Arabs who were Muslims ignored the interests of their Southern counterparts who majorly Christians. Due to cultural differences, the Southerners felt less appreciated, hence waged a war against their Northern government a move which led to split of the nation into two nations.
The war in Somalia led to political instability thus the government was not able to run its affairs as it if required. Access to healthcare became a problem, and the wounded would not access hospital since medical practitioners had fled the country in such of peace in other countries. The population of the people disabilities in the country is currently high, since most people could not get early treatment resulting in amputation. In a country where people cannot easily access medical care, it becomes difficult to survive to the effects of the war, meaning once a person is injured it becomes difficult for that person to get proper treatment in time. Even after the end of the war, people with disability still experience stigma in Somalia (Rohwerder 2015, 2). Access to medical care as well as well as social amenities has consequently become a problem.
On the other hand, in 2008 immigrants in South Africa faced an immigrant war which was termed as ‘Xenophobic war’ which resulted in the death of 67 people living scores with injuries (Ali n.p, 2020). South Africans waged on African immigrants who were residing in the country, for the reason that they had taken job positions in the country, living South Africans jobless. In order to create employment for South Africans, immigrants were attacked by a mob with their properties being set ablaze. Due to the fear of killed, victims fled the country for safety, with others escaping with injuries which made disabled. Most of those displaced moved to Durban where there was security.
In order to end civil wars and religious wars and to also take care of persons with disabilities the UN has come up with the following strategies. The UN has recognized persons with disabilities, with the 3 December being the disability in honour of the persons with disabilities (Philpott & Powers 2010, 167). The main aim of the UN is to empower persons living with disability and ensuring inclusiveness and equality in the society. Through ensuring inclusivity and equity in the society, all persons can be able to access medical care as well as other services equally regardless of whether they are disabled or not. Similarly, the UNHCR has also provided measures of supporting refugees, through offering support to the victims, which includes medical support and food. Finally, the UN offers support to refugees in war tone areas, through the provision of security since the body works as peace keeping agency in such a situation, and also mediates thus bringing the two conflicting sides together. The body holds talks with conflicting sides, and offers assistance in bringing the war to an end. Moreover, the organization also seeks measures of ensuring political stability, through providing troops in case of a war to help liberate the country (Fomerand 2009, 294).
Conclusion
Civil and religious wars often impacts the society negatively, with people dying, while others living with disabilities. Nonetheless, it is significant for such acts to be prevented before they take place, hence protecting innocent civilians from any attacks. The UN, offers different services to the victims, which includes support and protection in times of war. In addition, the organization also supports the country through offering mediation talks between the two sides in war. In so doing, it becomes easier to end the war, thus protecting the lives of the refugees. On the other hand, the UN also protects people living with disabilities, through ensuring they are treated equally and are included in the society, thus allowing them to access basic needs. People living with disabilities are in most cases discriminated, but the UN has provided ways of protecting them and ensuring they get equal treatment as other people.
Reference
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Rohwerder, B. (2015). Disability in Somalia: Knowledge, Evidence, and Learning for Development. Retrieved from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a744dbded915d0e8bf188ec/Disability_in_Somalia.pdf
