Obama bids welcome to more refugees. But can the world deliver?

For the millions of refugees on the move around the world, any announcement of greater assistance is a sliver of hope to be grasped with both hands.

But promises often come with caveats and President Obama’s announcement to the UN was no different. He set out how a coalition of 30 countries would double the number of refugees allowed to settle within their borders.

Any cause for muted celebration was tempered when Obama admitted: “We’re going to have to be honest: it’s still not enough – not sufficient for a crisis of this magnitude.”

Leaders whose countries have taken in the most refugees and migrants were quick to agree.

Jordan is housing more Syrian refugees than all the countries in the European Union put together. King Abdullah of Jordan said: “The refugee crisis requires not just commitment but follow-through.”

The king’s comments were directed at governments that have failed to deliver on promises given at an earlier refugee summit held in February.

A unified response?

The coalition of 30 countries is unlikely to respond in unity. Chancellor Angela Merkel is under pressure over Germany’s open-door refugee policy.

The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, effectively ruled out taking in more refugees before she had even arrived at the UN summit. On her flight to New York she told the Guardian: “We have always taken the view that we can help more Syrian refugees by putting aid into the region.” The Brexit vote in the UK has put a sharper focus on the government’s efforts to control immigration.

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A warning to governments

Amnesty International is urging world leaders to stick by their obligations to refugees. Speaking to the World Economic Forum, Amnesty’s Thomas Coombes said: “Governments cannot use ‘public opinion’ in their countries as an excuse to turn their back on refugees.”

He added: “To solve the refugee crisis, we need a more organized, fair, transparent system for sharing the responsibility for hosting refugees. For that to happen, we need to mobilize massive public support to pressure leaders, sending the message that people welcome refugees.”

The pressure some leaders appear to be responding to is not reflected in recent research showing which countries are most welcoming to refugees. The Refugees Welcome Index shows which countries are most and least open to housing refugees fleeing war and persecution.

But when it comes to people welcoming refugees into their own homes, they become far less willing to help those fleeing conflict and poverty.

After Barack Obama’s announcement at the UN, the leaders of the 30-nation coalition will be watched closely to see how they respond to the call to settle more refugees.

Sara Pantuliano, Managing Director at the Overseas Development Institute, says the wealthier countries in the group have a vital role to play. “Rich countries set an example for the rest of the world to follow: restrictions in developed countries at best send a clear message that there is one rule for them and another for the rest, or worse that international obligations towards refugees simply no longer hold.”

She added: “If this trend continues, there will be fewer and fewer places where refugees can go to seek protection.”