Asylum seekers search for refuge in record numbers
Despite America’s physical distance from the events in the Middle East, WHS students would do well to understand the ongoing refugee crisis.
In terms of humanitarian concern, the refugee crisis is a problem for the whole world, Wooster included.
The number of refugees is higher now than ever, at 60 million, or about one fifth of America’s population, according to rescue.org.
These people leave their home countries under fear of violence, starvation or any variety of complicating factors and they make immense journeys in order to survive. These journeys often bring refugees into contact with human trafficking networks, disease and poverty-stricken camps and even further conflict.
Perhaps the closest reason to care about the crisis is that its victims may at last find refuge in our cities and neighborhoods. According to a September 22nd NPR article, America is pledging to take in 100,000 refugees a year by 2017.