Final answer:
Refugees are individuals who flee their country to escape serious threats such as war, persecution, or natural disasters. They are protected under international law and face significant challenges, including statelessness and limited access to resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition and Context of Refugees
Refugees are individuals who are compelled to leave their country of origin due to reasons such as war, political oppression, natural disasters, or persecution. These situations lead to forced migration and displacement, making these individuals seek international protection. The plight of refugees has become an increasingly complex global issue, especially after significant events like the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey in 2023.
Legal Protection for Refugees
The 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention protects refugees, providing them with a legal right to seek asylum under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This protection is necessary due to the challenging circumstances under which refugees flee, often without proper travel documentation and means to sustain themselves, leading to a state of statelessness.
Refugees and asylum-seekers comprise a significant part of worldwide forced migration and have exceeded the 50 million mark for the first time since World War II. Children make up half of these numbers, underscoring the extensive humanitarian impact of refugee crises.