A refugee is forced to leave their home country because of persecution, war, or violence. For example, a refugee may be fleeing terrorism, military combat, or other violence. A refugee can be an individual or part of families. They may also come from different cultures and backgrounds. There are more than 82.4 million refugees around the world today, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
What Can you do to help refugees?
Refugees are people who have had to flee their homes to escape persecution due to war, violence, or other reasons. There are currently more than 82.4 million refugees in the world. The United States has pledged to admit at least 50,000 refugees. And Canada has committed to accepting at least 40,000 Afghan refugees. Refugees come worldwide and can be from any religion, nationality, economic background, or ethnicity. Whether it is through volunteering or donating, there are many ways you can help refugees.
What are the criteria for refugee status?
The United Nations defines a refugee as a person who has been forced to flee their country because of persecution, war, or violence. In addition, the person must have a well-founded fear of persecution for race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. This includes children under age 18; pregnant women (or mothers with young infants); people experiencing domestic abuse by their spouse/partner(s), parents /relatives family members]; prisoners’ family members.
Why is it different than an immigrant?
The difference between a refugee and an immigrant is that refugees are people who have fled their homeland because of war or persecution. The United Nations Convention defines a refugee as someone who is outside of their home country, has a well-founded fear of persecution, and is unable to obtain the protection of that country. Refugees are entitled to basic rights such as food, shelter, access to medical care, schooling, work.
No, one chose to be a refugee; there are refugees worldwide. They come from Syria and Afghanistan, where they have had to flee because of war or persecution. The United Nations Refugee Agency estimates that more than 82.4 million people are forcibly displaced globally. No one deserves to be forced from their home, but those who do often feel like they don’t belong anywhere else.
