Who is a Refugee? | Refugees in Our Community
Who is a Refugee?
Halima, Khadija, and Maryan, born in a refugee camp.
Photo:
Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas |
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a refugee is anyone who is outside his or her home country and is unable or unwilling to return because of a well-founded fear of being persecuted based on reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
Where do refugees come from?
Refugees come from all over the world from Sudan to Cuba and everywhere in between. Currently, the region with the largest number of refugees is the Middle East.
How many refugees are there?
As of December 31, 2005, it is estimated that there were 12 million refugees and asylum seekers in the world. In FY 2005, the United States admitted 53,813 refugees for resettlement, and it is only through work done by organizations like Church World Service in Lancaster and our valuable sponsoring churches, volunteers and donors that so many refugees can be helped.
What happens to refugees?
Once a refugee is forced to flee his or her homeland because of fear of persecution, she/he has few options. Some refugees will gather in refugee camps, waiting for months or even years for an opportunity to return to their homeland. Others will wander through neighboring countries, unable to be granted legal status protection or other basic human rights. A small minority of refugees get the opportunity to become legally admitted and resettled in a new country. Church World Service of Lancaster assists the refugees that are relocated to Central Pennsylvania or the Lancaster area, helping them get settled into a new life by assisting them in finding jobs and homes and guiding them towards self-sufficiency in this new country.
Read more about 
Refugees'
Steps to U.S. Resettlement (PDF file)
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