The Refugee Problem of Syria (Essay Sample)

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Syria's Refugee Problem
Migration brings about the interaction of people from different social backgrounds hence giving rise to a hybrid of different social settings. Since people are constantly migrating, the world's social geography takes different shapes generations after generation. It has brought about cultural changes and developments. An example is marriage between Americans and Africans resulting in African Americans who have a sense of the two cultures within themselves. Student exchange program enables diffusion of ideas resulting in innovation. Rural-urban migration of people from many different social backgrounds makes them live around the same neighbour- hoods. The result is a complex mixture of people and cultures. All these are the beneficial effects of migration and more importantly voluntary migration
However, this is not the type of migration that occurs in Syria. To say the least, the type of migration is one that stems from a different cause and indeed leads to a different set of effects mentioned above. Syria's refugee problem can be said to have began due to a number of problems. One of these is politics
The term absolutism may be used to refer to a form of government in which the ruling elite exercises autonomous authority of their subjects. In this system of governance, the persons in power rule the subjects without any restrictions as regards the law. This may mean that there are no noteworthy laws to dictate the government activities or that the ruling elite act in total disregard of the law. This type of government normally applies for monarchical ruling and is characterized by handing down of power from one generation to the next. The term absolutism may be used to refer to a form of government in which the ruling elite exercises autonomous authority of their subjects. In this system of governance, the persons in power rule the subjects without any restrictions as regards the law. This may mean that there are no noteworthy laws to dictate the government activities or that the ruling elite act in total disregard of the law. This type of government normally applies for monarchical ruling and is characterized by handing down of power from one generation to the next. The problem in Syria is an almost similar one to the case described above except that in Syria it is not a case of monarchy but rather a failed government system that has led to the birth of terror groups such as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).
Syrians have fled their homes owing to the ongoing violence. Constant overhead attacks with bombs and chemical weapons have killed many people with the surviving few opting to run for their lives. Furthermore, this has inflicted psychological trauma on most of the refugees leaving them constantly nervous and in fear. Secondly, the collapsed infrastructure ranging from healthcare to education systems have crippled the country. Unable to provide proper healthcare to its citizens, most people have fled in search of better facilities in neighbouring countries and refugee camps. Since the onset of war, most children have been forced to stop school due to security fears. More people continue to suffer with the destruction of transport systems making it impossible for aid groups to reach them. Inflation of commodities such as food and with most people unable to work and earn a decent living have left them to helplessly wait on the aid of well-wishers for their livelihood.
The Syrian uprising that began in March 2011 has to date left more than ten million people displaced from places they once called home and approximately 250,000 dead. Reportedly, more than six million people are internally displaced and more than four million people seeking refuge in neighbouring Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Jordan with some seeking asylum in European counties in an effort to escape the tragedy back at home. The civil war that has brutally crippled the Middle East country is attributed to clashes between President Bashar al-Assad's government and rebel groups that want him out of power and an internal conflict against the Islamic State. Caught in the middle of these wars, Syrian people have lost their homes and members of their family and forced to live in makeshift camps in deplorable conditions which further increase their strife as they are susceptible to malnutrition and diseases. Syrian situation has been reported to be the worst Humanitarian Crisis with the number of people affected being more than those affected by Haiti earthquake, Hurricane Catrina and Indian Ocean tsunami combined.In an attempt to survive, the remaining population in Syria lives on the edge trying to make ends meet by doing lowly jobs in the war zones. The people are in constant fear and suffer unending nightmares with the sound of bombs and flying drones being part of their every day lives.
Why Syrian Refugees are fleeing
Syrian refugees are fleeing at an alarming rate, particularly to Europe and countries beyond. One of the reasons for the continued migration away from the country and its surroundings is because the war and the turmoil show no signs of ending or subsiding. Some Syrians had moved to the neighbouring countries with the hope that they would soon come go back home but that is increasingly becoming unlikely. In addition, most Syrians are not allowed to enter the job market in some of the neighbouring countries such as Iraq, Egypt and Lebanon. This makes them flee to European countries. Some of these countries have also introduced restrictions and these limit the influx of refugees. Although this is justifiable to some of these countries as they host more than four million Syrians already, it leaves little or no room for other Syrians to migrate to these countries. Furthermore, there is little international support for both the internal refugees and those residing in the neighbouring countries.
Student Refugee Trends
The United Nations estimates that there are about 60 million refugees worldwide. The same study by the UN shows that about 51% of these are under the age of 18. This is the group that comprises school going youth. Thus, most of the people affected by war and conflict are the youth.
The effects of refugee trends on students have been reported to be appalling. Most school-going children drop out of school in order to get jobs. Others drop out simply because they cannot continue going to school anymore. The war and conflict takes a toll on their studies and their social and economic lives.
Psychological Effects of war on Refugees
It is estimated that the total number of Syrian refugees is approaching twelve million. About half of this number is children, who are more vulnerable and more adversely affected by the effects of war and violence. Long-term mental health issues have been reported not only among children but also among adults. In a research study done in Germany, results revealed that more than half of the Syrian refugees who took part in the study were suffering from depression, post traumatic stress disorder and related conditions. These conditions have been associated with effects such as alcoholism, prostitution and drug abuse. There is also the threat that some of those affected by the war may easily turn into extremists posing further threat not only to Syrians but also other nationals across the globe.
The United Nations released a report stating that more than two million Syrian refugees who are children require psychological support. The effects of war are worsened by the fact that children are forced to mature early. It is reported that one out of ten Syrian children are now forced to get jobs to fend for themselves and their families. Young girls are also forced into early marriage.
Barriers to Education that Refugees face when they arrive in Canada
When people travel overseas or simply away from their home, they meet new people and experience a different culture. This can be difficult for some people especially when it comes to adjusting and making the transition to their new environment (Moran et al, 14). This is one of the challenges that face refugees. When they travel to a foreign country, they not only have to grapple with the issue of adjusting to their study life, but also their social life and in general their environment (Zhang et al, 144). Cultural adjustment for refugees is a topic that should be known by international students and their parents alike. Refugees should learn about this topic well before they arrive at their new destination and should continue finding out more when they arrive. This will make their transition smoother and help them adapt faster.
Refugees usually take time to adapt to their new environment, the new faces, and especially the new culture. They usually experience a number of feelings due to this difference. One of these is culture shock. Due to the diversity in culture, things that some international students are used to may be completely ignored or overlooked in their new destination (Zhang et al, 158). Cultural elements such as dressing code, how to talk and how to relate to people all feature in this. For example, a refugee from a Muslim nation may experience culture shock in terms of dressing. In places like the US, there is a lot of liberality in fashion and dressing and some clothes that may be deemed ...