Refugees

The start of the new century has seen a decline in armed conflict when compared with the 1990s. Consequently, there have been fewer and smaller outflows of refugees, but a far greater number of people remain internally displaced in their own countries.

It is difficult for anyone who has never been forcibly displaced to imagine what it is like to be a refugee. Yet, to fully respond to the needs of millions of displaced persons worldwide, that is what we must all try to do. Most refugees are ordinary people living extraordinary lives: driven from their homes by fear, conflict and persecution, they have had to give up jobs, possessions, dreams, even families in their struggle to survive. They remain some of the most vulnerable people in our societies. They need assistance and protection. And they need understanding.

In addition to voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement of refugees, the past few years have been characterized by efforts on the part of governments, the United Nations, and other international organizations to respond to new humanitarian challenges, including a revival of efforts to bring an end to the refugee cycle through durable solutions, with special emphasis on bridging the gap between humanitarian and development assistance. Development plays a crucial role in ensuring that peace and economic recovery can take root in a post-conflict situation.

Source: United Nations, The State of the World's Refugees 2006