Refugees are persons who have fled their country or been expelled from it and cannot or will not return, because of natural catastrophe, war or military occupation, or fear of religious, racial, or political persecution.

Although refugees have existed throughout human history, the problem has assumed more importance in the 20th century. It is estimated that more than one hundred million persons have left their home country, since the outbreak of World War II. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees, the outstanding world refugee total exceeded twenty-six million in 1996.

Deprived of the protection of their state, often detached from their families and communities of origin, refugees are, by any definition, particularly vulnerable to violence. Refugee wome

n and their children, along with the elderly, are the most vulnerable.

Frequently, refugee camps are used as convenient recruitment grounds for child soldiers, and even, occasionally, and quite illegally, as training centers. In the former Rwandan camps in Eastern Zaire, between 1994 and 1996, this activity went on quite horribly. Fighting can seem attractive to these little boys, who may think it is better to become a soldier than to sit at home being frightened and helpless. Some children also join, so that they will receive food, clothing and shelter, but children who are soldiers miss out on their education. This may prevent them finding work afterwards. Some child soldiers are also rejected by their families after a war and have to live alone.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Nations Commissioner, Eastern Zaire, Term Refugees, Russian Jews, Vietnamese American, Middle-East Iraq's, Taliban Iraqis, child soldiers, detention camp, refugee women,
Approximate Word count = 604
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)