Calling for private sector collaboration to address the growing refugee crisis

Calling for private sector collaboration to address the growing refugee crisis.

This World Refugee Day, 110 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide.  

This means 1 in every 78 people on earth have had to flee their homes. That total has doubled in the past decade and is growing as global conflicts continue and climate change compounds already dire situations for people around the world.  This year alone, natural disasters displaced families following the devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria, flooding in Pakistan, and life-threatening drought in East Africa. The ripple effects of the escalating war in Ukraine on global food and fuel prices continue to put necessities out of reach for many, compounding levels of humanitarian need. 

Beyond demanding global reflection, World Refugee Day demands action. With global displacement on the rise, we need new and groundbreaking solutions. That’s why the International Rescue Committee (IRC) created the Airbel Impact Lab research and innovation team that designs, tests and scales life-changing interventions to save lives and rescue livelihoods in communities affected by crises worldwide. From using technology to predict and respond to climate shocks, to delivering simple and effective treatment out of reach for 80% of malnourished children, the IRC is driving and accelerating solutions to the world’s biggest challenges. But we cannot do this alone–without our private sector partners–and without new, bold commitments from leaders in the private sector.  

That’s why I’m proud to join CEOs from IRC partners Cotopaxi, Chubb, Marriott International, Moderna, Moody’s Corporation, Novartis, Palo Alto Networks, Pfizer, Uber, and Zendesk—in calling to action other business leaders to deepen their commitment to tackling the global refugee crisis.   

The IRC and our partners share the same outlook this World Refugee Day: that refugees, no matter where they come from or where they live, shape policies, art, traditions, dreams and futures in ordinary—and extraordinary—ways. The influence of refugees on our world is immeasurable. We are at a turning point in history, and the private sector plays an important role in helping people forced from home to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives.   

The IRC and our partners call upon the private sector to help create new, long-term solutions in response to the humanitarian needs faced by displaced populations. Here are just a few ways that companies can empower refugees now:  

• Upskilling and Hiring: Equip refugee job seekers with the tools and skills to work in growing fields for the future. Furthermore, be thoughtful when  hiring and welcome the diverse range of expertise that refugees bring.    
• Innovation: Design new and better models for addressing global challenges in collaboration with humanitarian organizations. Perhaps most of all, we need the ideas, the efficiency, and the expertise of the private sector.  
• Funding: Invest in NGOs like the IRC that are committed to lasting change, sharing knowledge across the sector, and working alongside local stakeholders in finding solutions.  
• Use Your Platform: There has never been a more important moment for leaders and brands to use their platform to advocate for change, call for welcome, and remind their networks that newcomers enrich our communities.  

The private sector cannot alone reverse the tides of crisis, but it can help create lasting change in the lives of people forced from home, catalyze impact, and help transform communities.   

David Miliband, President and CEO of the IRC 

Davis Smith, CEO of Cotopaxi

Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of Chubb 

Anthony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriott International 

Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna

Rob Fauber, President and CEO of Moody’s Corporation 

Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis

Nikesh Arora, CEO and Chairman of Palo Alto Networks

Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber

Tom Eggemeier, CEO of Zendesk