Refugee numbers spiking

According to a UN report, the number of people living as refugees now totals 51.2 million worldwide, the largest number of displaced people since World War II. The UN defines “refugee” as a person “unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinon.”

The conflicts in Syria, Iraq and countries in Central Africa account for much of the increase. However, 6.3 million people have been considered refugees for years, including more than 2.5 million who still are unable to return to Afghanistan.

In addition to refugees, the UN counted 33.3 million internally displaced peoples, those who have been forced from their homes but remain within the borders of their native countries.

With 86% of all refugees being housed in developing nations, poorer countries are shouldering most of the burden.