Causing suffering and problems

Safety, dignity and a better life. These are the main reasons people are leaving their homes as their countries are affected by conflicts, climate change and extreme poverty.

A small number of these migrants, including refugees, come to Europe with hopes of a new beginning. But what could have been a manageable increase of people arriving at Europe's borders has turned into a humanitarian shame: the European Union’s response is constantly creating new problems and causing unnecessary suffering.

As the European Council meets this week, Oxfam is calling for the EU and its member states to fundamentally change their approach to managing migration.