The Global Refugee Crisis: Fleeing Conflict and Violence

by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson

According to a UN tally, more than 1 million people fled violence and persecution in 2015. Of these, more than half were children. Thousands died along the way. The Syrian civil war as well as armed conflicts in Nigeria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, and the Central African Republic contributed to the continuing exodus of people into Europe and North America. Learn more about these modern mass exoduses, what is fueling them in the 21st century, how nations are addressing the crises, how refugees contribute to and strain communities, and what kinds of solutions could help. Along the way, you'll meet actual refugees and the people who are trying to help.

Genres: Nonfiction

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2024

About the author

Stephanie Sammartino McPherson wrote her first children's story in college. She enjoyed the process so much that she's never stopped writing. A former teacher and freelance newspaper writer, she has written twenty-eight books and numerous magazine stories. She especially enjoys writing about science and the human interest stories behind major discoveries.

Stephanie and her husband, Richard, live in Virginia but also call California home. They are the parents of two grown children.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the end of 2018, the number of displaced persons around the world had skyrocketed to more than 68.5 million.

The immigration and Nationality Act in 1965 eliminated quotas limiting the number of refugees the United States would admit from any one country.

None of the nineteen 9/11 terrorists had entered the country as a refugee.

In 2018 refugee quotas in the United States were lowered from 97,000 to only 45,000.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring summary of the current crisis

Very good book explaining the current crisis. I love that the author kept the information about policies and statistics by introducing lots of people who were directly affected by government policies. Excellent descriptions which humanize the crisis and help the readers remain humble and grateful.

[Paul Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're seeking a non-biased treatment of the refugee crisis, skip this one. If you tend toward the "Keep America Great" crowd, definitely skip it, the book will just make you angry. If you call yourself a progressive and agree that Rep. Ilhan Omar speaks for you, definitely read it, you'll love it. No criticism of Rep. Omar implied here, I'm just saying she represents a certain spectrum of politics. The book is very well written and the layout is creative with lots of photos, boxed or shaded text blocks. Research? Many if not most of the citations I came across in the sources list were web sites, among them usatoday.com and cnn.com which some have criticized for their bias. I didn't finish the book; I got that the author was cataloging refugees who have made successful U.S citizens. I'm not sure the author mentioned the Marielitos. In 1980 Fidel Castro put one over on Jimmy Carter and let thousands of "refugees" sail over to the U.S. Turned out many of them had been imprisoned or detained in mental health facilities. There are other instances not mentioned when allowing refugees into the U.S. didn't go according to plan. Lots on the dreamers, though, and the children that have been separated from their parents by homeland security and the Trump administration's insensitivity to the problem.

[Betsy Gant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavily biased towards the Left ideology; however, it is still an excellent and informative book. Solutions, love, and action are needed.

A reminder: Leviticus 19:33-34

When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was both well-researched and written. The editing was first-rate. I did not see any typos or offensive language in there.

This book wasn’t all text. There were color photos throughout. It really helped to humanize the situation when faces were put to the names in the book.

The number of people who were displaced when this book was written was overwhelming. Most likely it is not any better now.

[Saanvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agreed with many of the authors points. Although I agree with the authors side, this book does not provide a lot of counter arguments and is not a book for people who don’t agree with what the author says about immigration.

[Michelle Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of information and helpful in understanding some of what's going on.

[kammie!!? · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and comprehensive explanation of what a refugee is and the current situation in America and some other countries.