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Half of Britons believe risk of war is the country's most pressing humanitarian issue

<em>Half of Brits believe the risk of war is the country’s most pressing humanitarian issue (Rex)</em>
Half of Brits believe the risk of war is the country’s most pressing humanitarian issue (Rex)

Nearly half of people in Britain believe the most pressing humanitarian issue facing the country is the risk of war, a survey has found.

The Aurora Humanitarian Index surveyed nearly 11,000 people in 12 countries and found that 49% of Britons regarded risk of war as the most pressing global humanitarian challenge facing humanity now – an increase of 16% since 2017.

Terrorism remains the primary concern but with enduring trouble in Syria and discord between Russia and the West, the proportion in the UK fearing conflict is on the rise.

<em>The trouble in Syria and discord between Russia and the West has prompted a rise in the fear of war (Rex)</em>
The trouble in Syria and discord between Russia and the West has prompted a rise in the fear of war (Rex)

It was seen as the top reason for people leaving their homes around the world, according to the survey.

More than half (52%) of Britons surveyed felt refugees deserved more support and 38% regretted that the country was not doing enough to help – up 11 points from last year.

Almost half of Britons thought legally established immigrants should be able to become citizens of the UK, up 10 points from 2017.

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Ruben Vardanyan, co-founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, said: ‘It’s heartening that nationalistic attitudes towards refugees is in decline in the UK.

‘However, what is worrying is that this is the third year that the Humanitarian Index has revealed an alarming level of ignorance about the realities of the global refugee crisis.

‘It’s critical that people remain informed on the nature and scale of the problem, otherwise apathy and complacency get in the way of action on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable.’

<em>More than half of Britons surveyed felt refugees deserved more support (Rex)</em>
More than half of Britons surveyed felt refugees deserved more support (Rex)

A group of MPs published a report last year which said in many parts of the UK refugees were being welcomed.

It warned of a two-tier system of support and claimed Government policy left many newly recognised refugees at risk of homelessness and destitution.

The annual public opinion study gauges attitudes towards humanitarian issues worldwide, the effectiveness of humanitarian intervention, and individuals’ motivations to intervene on behalf of others.