Joint statement by CCME and 6 other European networks and humanitarian organisations working closely on resettlement. The other signatories are Amnesty International, Caritas Europa, ECRE, ICMC Europe / SHARE Network, IRC and the Red Cross EU Office.

Mounting global needs call for renewed European leadership on resettlement

As the world is confronted with several humanitarian and protection challenges, it is vital that European Union (EU) member states take a forward-looking approach to global refugee protection needs. Commitments to expand refugee resettlement and complementary pathways should not be forgotten, in view of the 1.5 million people in need of resettlement worldwide.

In response to the more than 6 million refugees fleeing Ukraine in the past months, EU member states and citizens have displayed commendable solidarity and political will to support people in need of protection. NGOs and humanitarian organisations have greatly welcomed these efforts, and several of our organisations are directly providing support in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. At the same time, we stress that other refugee protection needs and resettlement commitments cannot be overlooked. Investments and preparations must be urgently made so that resettlement programmes are not placed on hold or inadvertently delayed, downscaled, or suspended as a result of the pressure on EU reception and asylum systems and a lack of long-term planning of reception capacity or resettlement programming.

Read the Joint Statement here.