Search

This article examines 21st century wars and the growth in refugee numbers and changes in the nature of the conflicts producing them, drawing from data on refugee numbers and on battle-related deaths from 2014. Measuring conflicts by battle-related deaths is no longer enough. Refugee numbers produced must be a central part. The evolution of refugee-producing armed conflicts and the United Nations' responses to them are set out. The mid-2015 status of the peace plans is reviewed for each of the 10 conflicts connected to the largest of the 2014 refugee populations. The central role of the United Nations and the Security Council is clear, responding to the complexities of war situations involving weak States such as Somalia and strong States such as Sudan. The article suggests a wider monitoring of the detail of these conflicts with greater advocacy for constructive measures proposed and the resources necessary to follow through. The article also suggests the promotion of longer-term actions such as arms embargoes, the United Nations Armed Trade Treaty, and initiatives around mining industries to address ongoing post-war violence. The article calls for increased participation of those engaged in refugee protection in advocacy to end the wars producing refugees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]