Where Are Refugees Coming From

By Qing Yan Tan

Turning on and watching the news can be daunting in today's world, given the tumultuous events occurring globally. However, it's crucial to recognize that these events have tangible impacts on real people, often driving them to flee in search of safety and basic necessities. According to a 2022 analysis by the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR), approximately 108.4 million individuals worldwide have been displaced and forced to seek refuge or asylum, a number exceeding double the entire Canadian population.  Notably, over half of the world's refugee population originates from three key countries: Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, in that order. Before delving into the conflicts within these nations, it is important to highlight that among the 108.4 million displaced individuals, 43.3 million are children (aged under 18), with an average of 385,000 children being born into refugee status annually. 

The Syrian Arab Republic War, which began in 2011, created what is commonly known as the Syrian crisis. Without going into the diplomatic or political nuances, this conflict triggered widespread displacement by rendering the environment inhospitable: major infrastructure was decimated, the economy collapsed, and homes turned into battlegrounds. Consequently, schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges lay in ruins, exacerbating impoverishment and fostering an environment rife with gunfire and brutality. Similar conditions were created in Ukraine following Russia's invasion in 2022 and during the Afghanistan wars that began in 2001. In all these scenarios, the absence of life-saving essentials like food, water, healthcare, and security forced a large population of the country to flee.  

While the figures may be overwhelming and hard to truly comprehend, it is critical to realize that behind each statistic is a human being with a story of resilience, loss, and the desire for safety, all while living in constant fear and on the brink of exhaustion. These people, whether they are children born into uncertainty or families torn apart by conflict, are more than just numbers; they are human beings who deserve respect and understanding. Understanding the situations that force individuals to flee their homes is more than just a geopolitical analysis; it is also a recognition of our shared humanity. As these conflicts continue and the news becomes harder to watch, it is important for us, as humans not living in those hostile conditions, to not lose sight of the people whose lives have been irreversibly changed and who are in need of help and understanding. 

References

“| UNHCR.” UNHCR, 2022, www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/. Accessed 19 Feb. 2024. 

“Afghan Refugees | Costs of War.” The Costs of War, 2023, watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/costs/human/refugees/afghan#:~:text=Violence%20has%20been%20the%20major,face%20an%20uncertain%20political%20situation. 

“Afghanistan.” World Vision, 12 Jan. 2017, www.worldvision.org/our-work/country-profiles/afghanistan. 

“Global Refugee Statistics.” UNHCR Canada, 2 Jan. 2024, www.unhcr.ca/in-canada/refugee-statistics/.  

Reid, Kathryn. “Forced to Flee: Top Countries Refugees Are Coming From.” World Vision, 15 June 2023, www.worldvision.org/refugees-news-stories/forced-to-flee-top-countries-refugees-coming-from.  

“Syria Situation.” Global Focus, 2021, reporting.unhcr.org/operational/situations/syria-situation. 

World Vision Staff. “Syrian Refugee Crisis: Facts, FAQs, and How to Help.” World Vision, 16 Feb. 2024, www.worldvision.org/refugees-news-stories/syrian-refugee-crisis-facts#what-is.