The confusion between a refugee and a migrant

By  Simon Mone

The confusion between two vulnerable groups; refugee or migrant continues. And with it comes numerous debates among aid and development agencies.

Discussions are pivoted around which vulnerable group of the two needs support more than the other? Before delving into differentiating between the two, it must be emphasised that both vulnerable groups have specific needs and requirements.

There have been different upheavals across our world today causing vulnerability. This has led to over 65 million people being forcibly displaced from their homes. France has about 65 million people.

United Kingdom has about 65 million citizens. So it suffices to note that displaced people can occupy France or United Kingdom. Wars have caused ups and downs and therefore, a rise in the number of migrants and refugees.

So what is the difference between the two vulnerable groups? Is there a difference anyway? And does it matter to differentiate them? Yes! Why not? There is a marked difference between a refugee and a migrant. And Yes!

It matters a lot to take the difference into account. Confusing them is bad news for the type of humanitarian intervention required for both.

And this might lead to future hiccups in resolution of the causes of their vulnerabilities. Here is the difference between a migrant and a refugee. Let us see!

A refugee is a person who runs away from conflict or persecution from their own country. A refugee's condition is so untenable that it leaves him with only one option, to leave mother land and try living in a Samaritan country like Uganda.

He does so in order that he is safe. Against this background, when a person lives in his new home away from his home because of conflict, he is recognised as a refugee. And so earns the divine right to access basic assistance from whoever cares to support.

In that sense therefore, a southern Sudan citizen who has pulled away from the clutches of the madness between Salva Kir and Riek Marcha fits very well in the definition of a refugee.

Since it is not safe for them to stay in South Sudan any more, they are accommodated by Samaritan Uganda. Refusing to grant asylum could mean that Uganda is not sensitive to the needs of the needy.

And international laws stipulate that a refugee must not be expelled or taken back to their country when the situation that has forced them out of their homes has not subsided.

So a refugee must be granted safety, must have access to asylum procedures such that he is a beneficiary of basic rights offered by the hosting state. A migrant on the other hand chooses to run away from his home, even when there are no conflicts.

A migrant looks for; better life, work, study or looks to re-unite with family members. So unlike a refugee who cannot safely come back home, a migrant faces no such huddles.

If he decides to go back home the next day, he is at home, to enjoy protection by his home government. Therefore, for governments and other agencies, it is important to consider this difference while implementing interventions.

So countries that continue to close their doors to refugees are being selfish to the needs of vulnerable people. Confusing between a refugee and a migrant takes away the privilege that a refugee should enjoy.

It undermines genuine assistance for a refugee. Therefore, of a migrant and a refugee, who needs assistance more? The answer should be straight forward - a refugee. But it doesn't mean that a migrant should be left to drown in the Mediterranean.

Treat all human beings equally with the respect and dignity that they deserve. Therefore, the Europeans who have shut their doors on migrants are humiliating humanity.

They are breaching humanitarian laws allowing humanitarian aid to the poor.

The writer is a civil engineer