Nearly 65 million people are displaced worldwide. Each day thousands more flee their homes. Every minute 24 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror, according to UN data.
To escape the violence, they leave everything behind – everything except their hopes and dreams for a safer future.
June 20 is the day the world commemorates the strength, courage, and perseverance of millions of refugees. Held every year, World Refugee Day also marks a key moment for the public to show support for families forced to flee.
2016 marked the highest increase in the number of refugees after World War Second. Syria is the biggest source of refugees in the world, followed by Afghanistan, Somalia and South Sudan.
Turkey has provided refuge to 2.8 million people, of which 2.7 million are Syrians. Pakistan, Lebanon and Iran have also hosted a great number of refugees.
Armenia has also provided refuge to a number of displaced persons, but most of them are Armenians. Although they face certain problems here, they feel safe in the Motherland.
Fifty-two people have applied for refuge in Armenia this year. Most are Syrian Armenians, but there are also citizens of Iraq and Ukraine, Head of Asylum Issues Division of the State Migration Service of Armenia Petros Aghababyan told reporters today.
According to him, the number of refugees increases connected with regional developments. There are 75 non-Armenian refugees, including Russians and Ukrainians living in Armenia.
