Every single day, families around the world are being forced from their

homes. In search of safety and a be er life, they are risking everything to escape
conflict, disaster, poverty, or hunger, o en leaving with nothing but the clothes they
are wearing.
Migra on is not a threat to be stopped, it is a complex phenomenon to be managed.
But governments have been failing to meet their legal and moral obliga ons to
provide safety and assistance to vulnerable people in need of protec on.
Defina on:
Refugee: a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape
war, persecu on, or natural disaster.
Displaced: force (someone) to leave their home, typically because of war,
persecu on, or natural disaster.

Russia began a military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, crea ng a severe
humanitarian crisis as civilians fled the conflict. The day a er the invasion, the
United Na ons High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) assigned the highest
emergency level to the crisis. Within just 12 days, more than two million refugees
had fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, while another one million people were
displaced within the country.
What are the real causes of this refugee crisis?
The refugee crisis in Ukraine began because of a military invasion by Russia.
However, the Bible reveals deeper, underlying causes for all such refugee crises:
 Human governments worldwide have failed the human family. Those
in power o en use governmental authority as a means of oppression.
—Ecclesiastes 4:1; 8:9.
 Satan the Devil, “the ruler of the world,” exerts such an evil influence on
mankind that the Bible says: “The whole world is lying in the power of the
wicked one.”—John 14:30; 1 John 5:19.
  Besides the problems that have plagued mankind for centuries, we now live
in a period of me foretold by the Bible: “In the last days cri cal mes hard
to deal with will be here.” (2 Timothy 3:1) What is more, these days would
be marked by wars, natural disasters, food shortages, and pes lences—
events that cause people to flee.—Luke 21:10, 11.

Where can refugees turn for hope?

The Bible reveals that our Creator, Jehovah, b is a God who has love and compassion
for refugees and people displaced from their homes. (Deuteronomy 10:18) He
promises to solve the problems of refugees by means of his heavenly government,
called God’s Kingdom, which will replace human governments. (Daniel 2:44; Matthew
6:10) Jehovah will use his Kingdom to remove Satan the Devil. (Romans 16:20) That
Kingdom will be a global government, eliminating the divisions caused by national
borders. All mankind will form a united worldwide family. No one will ever again need
to flee his home, for the Bible promises: “They will sit, each one under his vine and
under his fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the mouth of Jehovah of
armies has spoken.”—Micah 4:4.
Only God’s Kingdom can provide a las ng solu on to the refugee crises we
experience today. Jehovah will use his Kingdom to remove the problems that force
people to become refugees. Consider some examples:
War. “[Jehovah] is bringing an end to wars.” (Psalm 46:9) To find out how
God will end conflict, read the ar cle “Peace on Earth—How Will It Come?”

Oppression and violence. “From oppression and from violence [Jehovah] will
rescue them.” (Psalm 72:14) To understand how people can change
ingrained a tudes, read the series of ar cles en tled “Breaking the Cycle of
Hatred.”

Poverty. “[Jehovah] will rescue the poor who cry for help.” (Psalm 72:12) To
see how God will address the root causes of poverty, read the ar cle “Is a
Fair Economic System Possible?”

Food shortages. “There will be an abundance of grain on the earth.” (Psalm

72:16)
Can the Bible help refugees today?
Yes. Besides giving refugees a sure hope for the future, the Bible can help with the
challenges that they face now.
 Bible principle: “The naive person believes every word, but the shrewd one
ponders each step.”—Proverbs 14:15.
Meaning: An cipate dangers to which you might be exposed and how you
will safeguard yourself. Beware of criminals who target and exploit the
insecuri es and inexperience of refugees in their new loca on.

 Bible principle: “Having food and clothing, we will be content with these
things.”—1 Timothy 6:8.
Meaning: Avoid focusing your mind on material things. When you are
sa sfied with the basics, you will be happier.

 Bible principle: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you
also must do to them.”—Ma hew 7:12.
Meaning: Be pa ent and kind. These quali es will help you gain respect and
acceptance within the local community.

 Bible principle: “Return evil for evil to no one.”—Romans 12:17.

Meaning: Do not let anger cause you to retaliate when you are mistreated.
It will only make things worse.

 Bible principle: “For all things I have the strength through the one who gives
me power.”—Philippians 4:13.
Meaning: Give God an important place in your life and pray to him. He can
strengthen you to cope.

 Bible principle: “Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer
and supplica on along with thanksgiving, let your pe ons be made known
to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard
your hearts and your mental powers.”—Philippians 4:6, 7.
Meaning: Ask God for peace of mind and heart in whatever circumstance
you find yourself. See the ar cle “Philippians 4:6, 7—‘Do Not Be Anxious
About Anything.’”