The United Nations released a new report this morning stating that there are now more refugees and internally displaced persons in the world since 1994. You may find the related article here. The world is now home to 45.2 million displaced persons.
Excluding what has taken place in Syria, here is the breakdown:
- 15.4 million refugees
- 937,000 asylum seekers
- 28.8 million internally displaced persons
War is the main reason for such displacement, with over half of all such persons coming from Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Syria and Sudan. Displacement is happening at a very rapid rate. Last year, someone became a refugee or internally displaced every 4 seconds. Developing countries host 81% of the refugees, a number up from 70% in 2002. Pakistan hosted the largest number of refugees (1.6 million), followed by Iran (868,200) and Germany (589,700). Twenty-five percent of all refugees are from Afghanistan, with 95% of these residing in Pakistan or Iran.
Children under the age of 18 make up 46% of all refugees.
Many nations are on the move due to tragic circumstances. Recognize the hand of the Divine Maestro working through the sinfulness of people that the nations may know Him (Acts 17:26-27). As you hear of new refugees, anticipate their arrival in the United States and Canada within a few years. It should not surprise us to see a rise in the number of Syrians being relocated to the West in the near future. Watch the news and anticipate future ministry opportunities.
How can you and your church begin serving the refugees living in your neighborhoods? What can be done now to serve the strangers next door as we eagerly await for the tree that produces leaves for the healing of the nations (Rev 22:2)?