In recent days, uncertainty over whether Egypt will open the Rafah crossing has become alarming for the more than 20,000 sick and wounded Palestinians waiting at the border. These people are in a desperate wait due to restrictions in access to treatment and health services. In the event that the gate is opened, the direction of a possible wave of migration of Palestinians and the consequences of this migration are not yet clear. However, this situation emerges as an important issue that needs to be addressed not only as a migration event, but also with its humanitarian and conscientious dimensions.
If Egypt opens the Rafah Border Gate, it is predicted that Palestinian refugees will head to Egypt first. However, this situation brings with it the fact that the basic needs of refugees must be met. The Egyptian government and the international community must provide support to meet their basic needs, such as housing, access to healthcare, and education. However, in addition to humanitarian aid, long-term social and economic projects will also have to be implemented. Countries such as the European Union and the United States are expected to play an important role in meeting the humanitarian needs of refugees and relocating them. If these countries cooperate with Egypt and other countries in the region to support refugees, the solution process can be more effective and sustainable.
However, it should not be ruled out that refugees may not want to live permanently in Egypt in the long term and may turn to more developed countries such as Europe. Europe's harsh migration policies and increasing resistance to refugees make it difficult for these people to reach Europe. Therefore, the desire of refugees to go to Europe and the problems in Europe's reception policies may cause many Palestinians to wait in transit countries such as Turkey.
Turkey already hosts 20% of the world's refugees, putting a serious strain on the country's economic and social resources. Turkey may need to increase its capacity to meet this new wave of refugees. However, Turkey's sustainability capacity in this regard and the necessity of acting together with international support should also be taken into consideration.
The opening of the Rafah crossing requires taking into account not only the transit of migrants, but also the humanitarian needs of people staying on the Palestinian side of the border. As those living on the other side of the border, they may also need humanitarian assistance if the crossing is opened. In this context, the international community needs to support not only the migrants crossing the border, but also the Palestinians living on both sides of the border. Meeting basic needs, access to health services, educational opportunities and economic support are vital for these people to survive in humane conditions. At this point, the international community should take the Palestinian people's demands for humanitarian aid seriously and provide the necessary support.
Photo: Anadolu Agency Taken from the news of Gülşen Topçu dated 12.10.2020.
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