(MENAFN- UkrinForm) The attitude towards refugees has become more positive in the world since last year.
This is revealed by the results of a survey conducted by Ipsos in 28 countries before the World Refugee Day, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Thus, the study shows that, on average, 78% of the population in the 28 countries surveyed generally agreed that people should be able to seek refuge in other countries to avoid war or persecution. Approximately one in six (16%) disagrees.
Since last year, the majority of countries surveyed have taken a more favorable stance, suggesting that the war in Ukraine has increased society's openness to refugees and changed some of the fears caused by the pandemic, UNHCR said.
Sweden (88%), Brazil (86%) and Poland (85%) had the highest consensus, while South Korea (61%), Malaysia (64%) and Turkey had the lowest consensus levels (66%).
Also, most respondents support giving more people the opportunity to enter another country if they are seeking shelter to avoid war, violent conflict or natural disasters / climate change.
Nearly two-thirds (national average 64%) support the entry of more refugees seeking shelter to avoid war or violent conflict, with one in ten (11%) opposing it.
As the effects of climate change are expected to lead to further population displacement in the future, most countries (55%) support allowing more shelter seekers to enter their country to avoid natural disasters or the effects of climate change, and every seventh (14%) opposes it.
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However, when it comes to shelter seekers because of personal characteristics, the level of support is lower. Two out of five (41%) support granting more people permission to enter their country if they seek shelter because of their race, ethnicity or nationality (19% oppose it); two out of five (38%) - because of their sexual orientation or gender identity (23% against) and the same share (38%) if by gender (20% against); third (36%) if because of their religion (23% against); and third (35%) if because of their political views (24% against).
In addition, the survey showed that a more favorable attitude towards refugees was accompanied by assistance to them.
In particular, two in five (40%) said they had taken steps to support refugees over the past 12 months, many of them for the first time and almost half of them motivated by the war in Ukraine:
The share of those who claim that they have taken measures to support refugees is the highest in Poland, which receives the largest number of Ukrainian refugees; seven out of ten (72%) of those in Poland say they help.
More than 45% of those who say they helped in some way would describe their actions as motivated by the war in Ukraine; two out of five (39%) say it was the first time they supported refugees, and a quarter (24%) say they regularly support refugees.
'The war in Ukraine has caused a wave of sympathy, support and funding. We hope that this dynamic will be maintained so that all, not individual refugees, have access to protection and support. Because everyone has the right to seek security, no matter who they are or where they come from”, - said UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Defense Gillian Triggs.
Read also: Almost 2.5M people return to Ukraine since late February - UN
However, skepticism about refugees, the study found, remains.
In particular, more than half (54%) agree that the majority of foreigners wishing to enter their country as refugees are there for economic reasons or to use social security services (37% disagree).
Half (50%) believe that most refugees are successfully integrating into their new society, while 40% disagree. A similar number (47%) believe that refugees make a positive contribution to the country's development (41% disagree).
Although more than half (56%) disagree that the borders should be completely closed to refugees, a third (36%) agree and believe that their country cannot accept more refugees at this time.
Despite increasing support for refugees, opinions were divided over whether governments should provide more support. Yes, three out of five (60%) agree that a work permit will help shelter seekers learn the language of their country and integrate into society (13% disagree), but opinions are mixed. Almost half (48%) say that granting shelter seekers the right to work while waiting for a decision on their shelter application may be the reason why people want to come to their country without a real shelter application.
Opinions are divided on whether governments are accepting the right number of refugees or spending the necessary amount to support refugees. In particular, more than a third (36%) believe that their government should accept fewer refugees than it does now, and a third (33%) believe that their government now accepts enough. Only one in six (15%) believe that their government should accept more refugees.
Two-fifths (41%) believe that their government should support the current level of spending on refugee support around the world, while a quarter (28%) believe that the government should reduce the current level of spending. Only one in six (16%) believes that costs should be increased.
Ipsos surveyed a total of 20,505 adults aged 18-74 aged 18-74 in the United States, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa and Turkey and 16-74 in 23 other countries between April 22 and May 6 on Global Advisor 2022.
The sample includes about 1,000 people from Australia, Brazil, Canada, mainland China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United States, and 500 people each from Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Hungary, India, Malaysia. Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.
Photo: UNHCR / Chris Melzer
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