In 2018 the number of people displaced worldwide by violence, persecution, or natural disaster had reached 68.5 million. The United Nations Refugee Agency estimates that one person is displaced every two seconds. The world faces an unprecedented crisis as people flee their homes, seeking safety, peace, and a better future for themselves and their families. Refugees set off, often on foot or by boat, on dangerous journeys to cross international borders where they can apply for asylum, or protection, in a new country. Once there, they may spend years in crowded refugee camps or other inadequate housing while they wait for their claims to be processed. While many countries welcome refugees and other asylum seekers, others do not. They worry that high numbers of refugees are an economic burden. They have concerns about security and fear the changes that new populations bring to a culture. Yet refugees also boost economies and save dying towns. They introduce valuable new skills and meaningful perspectives. What are the solutions to the crisis? Do we have the resources--and the will--to provide hope and a future for all the world's citizens? Meet refugees from around the world and hear what experts have to say. Make an informed judgment and find ways to be part of a solution.
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