All over the world, millions of people have been forced from their homes by violent conflict, persecution and human rights violations. Those able to cross international borders become refugees or asylum seekers, while others are ‘internally displaced people’ within their home country. Yet others are forced from their homes by development projects, environmental change and disasters. This article discusses definitions and categories of forced migration, and provides a global statistical overview. Conflict and forced migration have not declined since the end of the Cold War. Indeed they appear to be an integral part of the social transformations linked to globalization. More and more people are in situations of long-term exile and hopelessness. States, international agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) find it increasingly difficult to respond to humanitarian emergencies. The legal and institutional framework set up through the 1951 Refugee Convention needs strengthening and extending to meet the new situation.
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