The latest data from 2011 estimates that there are 42.5 million people in need of international protection and assistance. Approximately 15.2 million are considered refugees and 26.4 million are internally displaced people.
Under international law, a refugee is someone who is, unable or unwilling to return to and avail himself or herself of the protection of his or her home country or, if stateless, country of last habitual residence because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, [...]
People who have taken up permanent residence in a country other than their own home country are immigrants. This is slightly different from migrants who come for a variety of reasons for a certain period of time (typically no less than a year).
Refugees and migrants are fundamentally different, and for that reason are treated very differently under modern international law – even if they often travel in the same way. Migrants, especially economic migrants, choose to move in order to improve the future prospects of themselves and their families.
Internally displaced persons or IDPs are forced to flee their homes just as refugees must. However, IDPs do not cross an international boundary and are displaced within their own country. IDPs face similar hardships to refugees, without the same protection under international law. Because of their unique situation, it is [...]
Someone who is not considered as a national (a citizen) by ANY state or possibly someone who does not enjoy the fundamental rights enjoyed by other nationals in their home state. Some of these people have virtually no rights because they do not officially exist within national systems. They may [...]
People seeking asylum say they are refugees, but that claim has yet to be evaluated. Organizations like the UNHCR decide which asylum seekers qualify for international protection as refugees. In situations involving tens or hundreds of thousands of people, individual assessment is impossible and the entire group may be granted [...]