Flótti

Flótti is a noun in Icelandic meaning flight or escape from danger. It can refer to the act of fleeing from war, persecution, natural disaster, or other threats, as well as to the movement of people seeking safety. In political or historical contexts the term often describes large-scale displacement, including refugees and asylum seekers, as well as voluntary or forced evacuation in times of crisis.

Etymology: The word originates from Old Norse flótti and is related to the verb flýja "to flee." In modern Icelandic it forms the basis for terms describing escape and displacement and is cognate with similar Germanic forms.

Usage: Flótti is used in news, academic writing, and public discourse to discuss individual escapes as well as mass movements. The related term flóttamaður denotes a person who has fled, i.e., a refugee or asylum seeker. The concept also appears in discussions of migration policy, border control, and humanitarian response.

Legal and policy context: International law governs protection for people forced to flee. Iceland is party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, and asylum procedures determine whether an applicant qualifies for refugee status or protection. The term flótti is commonly employed to describe drivers of displacement and to frame humanitarian responses.

See also: refugee, asylum seeker, displacement, migration, evacuation.