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Learning OutcomesLearning OutcomesOnce you have completed the activities:

• you should begin to understand the difference between a displaced person and a refugee

• you should become aware of what it means to be displaced

• you should begin to appreciate the problems of living in a refugee camp

Children being displaced andChildren being displaced andas refugeesas refugees

During armed conflict, large numbers of people can become displaced. They often have to leave their homes without warning and sometimes never return. Families are split up and children become separated from their parents. Internally displaced people are those who are left without a home within the borders of their own countries. It is thought that there are 52 countries in the world with internally displaced people (or ‘IDPs’).

A refugee is a person who has left their country because they have a fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality or political opinion. Internally displaced people are those who are left without a home within the borders of their own countries, while those who cross international borders become refugees. There are an estimated 27 million refugees worldwide. Since the end of the Second World War, 50 million refugees have been returned to their countries or have been given homes elsewhere.

Facts:• Some of the highest numbers of internally displaced people

are found in the following countries:- Democratic Republic of Congo - more than 4 million- Iraq - more than 1.1 million- Burma - up to 1 million

• One third of people affected by armed conflict become refugees, while two thirds are displaced

• 80% of the 53 million people uprooted by wars are women and children

• Some people have been displaced for over 20 years

Children being displaced andChildren being displaced andas refugeesas refugees

Global figures for the displaced• Europe - 3 million• Middle East - 2 million• Americas - 3.3 million• Africa - 12.7 million• Asia and Pacifi c - 3.6 million

Children being displaced andChildren being displaced andas refugeesas refugees

Children being displaced andChildren being displaced andas refugeesas refugees

1. How long do you think these people could have been here?

2. How could these children have arrived here?

3. What could the needs of these children be?

4. How might their needs be different from those of adults?

5. How could these events affect the rest of their lives?

6. What could be done to help these refugees?

Refugee CampsRefugee CampsSetting up a refugee camp is a major endeavour. It requires a great deal of planning and thought. Often there is only a short time to get everything in place.A camp will require:WaterAn adult requires about 20 litres a day - 3 litres of this needs to be drinking water.FoodAn adult needs about 2250 calories a day. Food needs to be collected and distributed.Medical facilitiesA permanent presence of doctors and other medical specialists, together with equipment, is required. Each doctor can expect to see at least 100 patients per day in a camp containing 10,000 refugees.ShelterThere has to be some form of shelter, such as tents or temporary homes.Refuse and sanitationRefuse will have to be collected and then disposed of every day. There will also be a need to be an efficient latrine system.EnergyFuel will be required for cooking purposes. This needs to be collected, distributed and used in the correct way.SecurityThe camp has to be lit at night for security reasons and there needs to be some form of protection for people’s belongings.

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Imagine that you were in charge of a refugee camp.These are some of the areas that you would need to consider:

• Health• Sanitation• Food• Security• Education• Accommodation• Energy

Now draw a plan of the camp.

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1. What would it be like to be a refugee?

2. What do you think refugees need the most?

3. What are the main differences between the needs of children and adults?

4. Why are children, women and old people most at risk?

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Refugee campImagine that you are made responsible for the running of a new refugee camp. Itwill hold 10,000 people. 7,000 of these will be women and children.Your areas of responsibility are: education, shelter and food.

Explain what you intend to do about these issues.

Write a letter to the Head of Government in the country requesting assistance.Be clear regarding what is required and why. Who else might you be able toapproach for help?

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Extension activities1. Explain the difference between a displaced person and a

refugee.2. Make a list of what you would take with you if you were

given just ten minutes to leave your home. Why would you take these things?

3. Make up a play about a television reporter who goes to a refugee camp to interview some of the people who live there and one of the workers.

4. Using the internet, investigate some of the world’s refugee camps.

5. Write about a day in the life of a child or adult in a refugee camp.

6. What will people need once they leave the camp?

Children being displaced andChildren being displaced andas refugeesas refugees

VocabularyVocabularyarmed conflictwaterfoodsheltermedical needsdisplacedrefugee