This opinion piece by Dr Graham Thom, Amnesty International Refugee Campaign Coordinator, was published by ABC News online on Tuesday, 10 March 2009.

During his recent visit to Australia, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Antonio Guterres, highlighted the increased risks faced by refugees and migrants during times of economic crisis.

Increased instability and conflict forces more people to flee their homelands, and wherever they go, they often become victims of heightened levels of xenophobia. Populist cries that "these people" are "stealing jobs" always find a more receptive audience when times are tough.

So how is Australia likely to be impacted and what can we do to assist those whose lives, not just their livelihoods, are threatened by this crisis? Should Australians even care if violence in Africa, Asia or the Middle East forces thousands of civilians to flee?

Traditionally, Australia has cared. Despite an almost hysterical response to small numbers of boats arriving in recent years (164 people reached Australia by boat last year, compared to the 1,200 who reached Italy in January 2009 alone) Australia has maintained a strong offshore humanitarian program.

Australia currently resettles approximately 12,000 to 13,000 vulnerable people a year - 6,000 who are referred by UNHCR and 6,000 to 7,000 who are sponsored by people in the community.

For refugees stranded in camps or at immediate risk of violence, resettlement is a vital component of international protection. Australia, along with the USA and Canada is one of only three countries to offer UNHCR significant numbers for resettlement. Australia, therefore, has a major responsibility to ensure the success of the offshore program.

In tough economic times however, this program faces three significant challenges. The first is to maintain the size of our humanitarian intake, particularly when the government is facing pressure to scale back other parts of the "migration" program. The second is to ensure we are able to respond quickly and effectively to new and emerging crises. The third is to make sure that those refugees who are resettled in Australia are settled in areas where resources, such has housing and jobs, are not in short supply.

“Traditionally, Australia has cared. Despite an almost hysterical response to small numbers of boats arriving in recent years ... Australia has maintained a strong offshore humanitarian program.”

The distinction between refugees and migrants is an important one. Migrants leave their homes looking for a better future and Australia, with the luxury of geography, has been able to maintain a planned migration program, designed to provide economic or other benefits to this country. Refugees, on the other hand, have no choice but to flee their country, their homes. Some will never be able to return, nor will the countries of first asylum let them stay. Resettlement is the only solution and fortunately Australia, as a good global citizen, has committed to playing a significant role in what is often described as "burden sharing". To cut back our commitment, when others are seeing an increase in refugees arriving at their borders, would be very difficult to justify.

Australia is already being called upon to respond to humanitarian crises, both regionally and internationally. Our humanitarian program must be flexible enough to respond quickly so that comprehensive solutions can be found. Events in South Africa last year provide a clear example of where economic pressures had devastating consequences for refugees and migrants alike. A wave of violent attacks against "foreigners" in May 2008 saw tens of thousands displaced, 60 killed and over 600 injured.

In the Asia Pacific region, hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee persecution and violence in Myanmar. Many are unable to access UNHCR and are forced to work as "irregular" or "illegal" immigrants in neighbouring countries to survive. When times are good governments turn a blind eye to this easy supply of cheap labour. When times are tough however, countries such as Malaysia use government-backed vigilantes to hunt down, beat and imprison "foreigners". Men, women and children are singled out for appalling treatment in Malaysian detention centres and are at constant risk of being returned to a country where they face further torture or death. The recent plight of the Rohingya, whose boats were crippled before being pushed back out to sea by the Thai military, is a timely reminder why Australia must be ready to respond to urgent cases.

We must remember that Australia is not immune to intolerance and xenophobia, and during this time of crisis we must guard against them by employing careful consideration when settling refugees. Facing open resentment and hostility from a local population undermines the ability of refugees to successfully integrate, and can have serious implications for the program as a whole.

During his recent visit, Antonio Guterres was quick to praise the way Australia has so far settled refugees. If we are to maintain this proud tradition Australia must take a strong and principled stand, through our offshore humanitarian program, in responding to the challenges faced by refugees in tough economic times.