Refugees have always been a major concern as it occurs in various parts of the world. They flee in search of refuge, as in times of war, political oppression, or religious persecution. The largest refugee problem is that of the Palestinians who have fled their homeland in response to the Israelis. The Palestinians have the right to return to their homeland. .
The world has recognized refugees" rights in several cases. The United Nations as well has helped refugees throughout history. One case is helping Afghan refugees from twenty years of war and devastation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "In 2002, almost 1.8 million Afghans returned to their homeland from Iran, Pakistan and the Central Asian Republics. They were assisted by UNHCR, the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, and the governments of the neighboring countries." ("Return" UNHCR). The United Nation has a policy of having refugees return to their homelands as well. Another program that has helped refugees in the past is the International Rescue Committee. They have helped Kashmir refugees being a constant rivalry between India and Pakistan. The American Refugee Center has had many programs helping refugees all over the world. One program being Rwanda since the people fled conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. "ARC began work in Rwanda in December 1994 following the turmoil created by the genocide earlier that year. Its initial project aimed to rebuild the health structure to ease the repatriation of large numbers of refugees."("Rwanda" ARC ). There have been numerous other programs to assist the refugees in need. These programs have helped refugees to a great extent. .
One of the refugee problems with most impact is that of the Palestinian refugee crisis, which is a result of the establishment of the State of Israel. "The Palestinian refugee crisis developed into a major humanitarian disaster as an estimated 805,067 inhabitants streamed into camps in the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.