The United Nations (UN) define a refugee under the 1951 Refugee Convention as a person who, “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of their nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country.”
However, the recent 49 white South Africans who have flown to the US have been deemed not to fall under this category.
The UN’s definition of a refugee is widely accepted in international law and forms the basis of refugee protection globally.
The key components of this definition are ‘well-founded fear’ and ‘persecution.’ Importantly, it is not enough for someone to simply be fleeing general hardship or economic difficulty. They must show that they have a genuine fear of persecution based on specific grounds such as their ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs and that their government is either unwilling or unable to protect them.
Additionally, the definition also implies that refugees cross international borders. People who are displaced within their own country are considered internally displaced persons (IDPs), not refugees.
The 1951 Convention was originally limited to protecting European refugees after World War II, but the 1967 Protocol removed these geographic and time limits, extending the Convention’s protections globally.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the primary UN body responsible for the protection and assistance of refugees.
Recognition as a refugee affords individuals certain rights under international law, including the right not to be forcibly returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom (a principle known as non-refoulement), access to basic services, and eventually the opportunity for resettlement or integration.
The refugee definition remains central to debates on asylum, border control, and humanitarian obligations in an increasingly turbulent global landscape.
From 2020 to 2025, the UNHCR has identified several major refugee populations resulting from conflicts, persecution, and humanitarian crises.
1. Syrian refugees
Displacement: Over 6.5 million Syrians have fled the country, with an additional 6.8 million internally displaced.
Causes: The protracted civil war, ongoing since 2011, has led to widespread violence, destruction, and humanitarian crises.
2. Ukrainian refugees
Displacement: Approximately 6.3 million Ukrainians have sought refuge abroad, with 3.7 million internally displaced.
Causes: The full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation in February 2022 triggered one of the fastest and largest displacement crises since World War II.
3. Afghan refugees
Displacement: Around 2.7 million Afghans have been displaced across borders.
Causes: Decades of conflict, culminating in the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, have led to ongoing instability and humanitarian needs.
4. Venezuelan refugees and migrants
Displacement: Nearly 8 million Venezuelans have fled the country.
Causes: Economic collapse, political instability, and lack of access to basic services have driven mass migration.
5. Sudanese refugees
Displacement: Over 10.8 million people have been displaced due to conflict.
Causes: Armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023 has led to widespread displacement.
6. South Sudanese refugees
Displacement: Approximately 2.4 million people have fled South Sudan.
Causes: Prolonged conflict, intercommunal violence, and environmental challenges have contributed to displacement.
7. Rohingya refugees (Myanmar)
Displacement: More than 1.3 million Rohingya have been displaced since 2017.
Causes: Persecution and violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar.
8. Ethiopian refugees
Displacement: Significant displacement due to conflict, particularly in the Tigray region.
Causes: Armed conflict and humanitarian crises have led to internal and cross-border displacement.
9. Yemeni refugees
Displacement: Yemen hosts approximately 97,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mainly from Somalia and Ethiopia.
Causes: Prolonged conflict, economic collapse, and humanitarian crises have led to internal displacement and limited cross-border movement.
10. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) refugees
Displacement: The DRC has experienced significant internal displacement due to ongoing conflict.
Causes: Armed conflict and insecurity have led to large-scale displacement within the country.
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