‘Home’. For many it is a word that means familiarity and comfort. You may think about your house, your community, about your family and friends. But many people do not have the comfort of home at the end of a long day, they may be in foreign places, separated from family.

Effie wakes one night to her mother’s face leaning over her. ‘Let’s go’, she says. Armed soldiers have entered their town. With only rucksacks on their backs, Effie and her family escape through the night, leaving their home far behind. After walking for many hours, tired and hungry, they finally cross the border of their country, unsure of what is to come.

Effie is a refugee. Many refugees face common struggles, but, like Effie, each has their own story to tell.

WHO ARE REFUGEES AND WHY DO THEY FLEE?

‘No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark’- poet Warsan Shire

Refugees are people who are forced to flee their homes and their country and cannot return because they fear for their life. Refugees like Effie may be put in danger because of wars between different groups trying to take control of their country or violence against groups of people because of their race, religion, nationality or political views.

Others flee because they cannot get enough food to survive. A lack of rain can damage food production and wars and governments may interfere with the delivery of food to areas. Although they do not flee violence, some would say that these people are also refugees.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE REFUGEES RIGHT NOW?

Right now, there are just over 65 million people who have been forced to leave their home. Many have moved to other areas of their country but just over 22 million refugees have fled their home country. 22 million. It is a number so large that it is difficult to imagine.

WHERE DO REFUGEES COME FROM?

Refugees come from many countries around the world. However, most refugees are from the same small number of countries. In these countries, there is so much violence and conflict that large amounts of the population have fled.

WHERE DO THEY GO AND HOW DO THEY GET THERE?

Many refugees seek safety in neighbouring countries, whilst others travel to countries further away.Some foreign governments help a number of refugees travel safely to their country. However, many more refugees make long and often dangerous journeys without help. Some journey across the sea in boats that are too small for the number of people they contain. Some pay money to individuals who promise them to take them safely across borders. This is a promise that is not always kept.

Around a third of all current refugees are in Africa. Uganda is home to more than one million South Sudanese refugees. Many refugees live in refugee camps. These are usually built rapidly and provide a temporary shelter for tens of thousands of refugees. However, the majority of refugees live outside of camps, in local communities. Few refugees are able to return home.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO THEY FACE?

Refugees may have left violence behind them, but in foreign countries they face daily challenges.

• Freedom of Movement. Some countries will not allow refugees to enter and others will not allow refugees to leave refugee camps.
• Basic Services. Countries struggle to support large numbers of refugees and this can mean that even finding food, water and somewhere to sleep is difficult. Healthcare services aren’t always available to treat injuries and distress caused by the violence they suffered.
• Accessing Education. Currently over half of refugees are under 18 years old but many do not go to school. Travelling to school may be too expensive and children may have to work or care for family members.
• Finding work. Whilst refugees have the skills they need to work, some countries may limit the jobs that refugees can get. Refugees may not speak the local language and this can make getting jobs more difficult.
• Integration. Refugees may find it hard to get used to new cultures and languages, and make new friends. They may face people who do not want refugees in their community.

Charities, international organisations, governments and people all over the world are working with refugees to tackle these challenges. Effie may not be able to return to her old home, but in a different country, and a different community, she should be given the chance to make a new one.