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Victoria Hernandez

Mrs. Shepard

Business English I

10/6/2018

Refugee Research Paper

There are many people in this world who fear living in their home country every day.

They feel their only choice is to flee the country to safety and hope for a better life. A refugee is

a person who leaves his or her country due to well-founded fear of persecution because of his or

her race, religion, nationality, political views, or membership in a social group.

According to the Refugee and IDP Data sheet from Brown University, in 2016 the

number one country of origin for refugees was Syria, having 5.5 million people fleeing the

country. That is followed by Afghanistan with 2.5 million, and South Sudan with 1.4 million.

Today, these numbers are continuing to rise, with Syria now having 5.7 million refugees,

Afghanistan having almost 3 million refugees, and South Sudan having 2.4 million refugees all

within the year 2018. When these families flee, they likely flee to bordering countries. Turkey,

Pakistan, and Lebanon are the top three host countries for refugees currently.

The reasons people are fleeing for refuge range widely, however everyone’s reasons are

understandably justified. In Syria, a big reason people are seeking asylum in other countries is

due to the Syrian civil war. This war has been ongoing since 2011 and has brought many deaths

and destruction, causing many to fear for their lives. Another main reason people, especially

women, seek refuge is because of oppression and non-acceptance.

In these countries women can be reprimanded for doing something as simple as trying to

go to school to get educated or drive a car. Malala Yousafzai for example, was criticized for
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fighting for education for young girls. As a result, she was shot in an attack against her. Although

this happened in Pakistan, there are similar stories in bordering countries because there is

backlash for wanting better rights for women.

A final underlying reason that people may seek refuge is because living conditions in

other areas may look better than living conditions that they are currently in.

To conclude, a refugee is someone who flees their home to overall have safety and a

better living environment. While many people dislike the term “refugee” because they believe it

holds a negative connotation to it, they should be proud that they have escaped whatever it was

that cause them fear previously. Although the total number of refugees are still rising, we are

getting solutions to some of the issues that are experienced in these countries such as health care,

education opportunities, and more. The UNHCR has called for an increase in international

support so that more resources can be brought to those who need humanitarian assistance. If we

wish to have less refugees and displaced persons than we need to take action to solve the

conflicts that begin these unsafe living conditions and fears instilled in people.
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Works Cited Page

 Refugee and IDP Data – 2016 Chart

 http://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2018/9/5b9148b14/afghanistan-un-refugee-

relief-chiefs-call-urgent-increase-international.html

 https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/southsudan

 https://www.worldvision.org/refugees-news-stories/syrian-refugee-crisis-facts