An equivalent of a small-city population flees war and conflict every day.

The world over, people are fleeing war, ethnic conflict and natural disasters. The numbers are staggering. Some 59.5 million people were forcibly displaced in 2014 alone, up from 37.5 million in 2005. With nearly 14 million newly displaced people—11 million within their own country—this is the highest figure on record.

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), in 2010, 10,900 people fled violence every day. By 2013, this number had tripled, to 32,200, reaching 42,500 in 2014. According to these estimates, one person in every 122 in the world is displaced. Half the world’s refugees come from just three countries: Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia. More than 50% are under the age of 18.

With numbers of refugees increasing exponentially, international aid organizations no longer have the resources to pick up the pieces. With the burden to host the displaced falling on neighboring countries, new solutions are needed to overcome this crushing crisis.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

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