Living Life Away From Home

Eleni Panagiotopoulou
There were 16.7 million refugees worldwide at the end of 2013 (UNHCR). The amount
of people who are refugees in the world is disturbing. Refugees are individuals who are
forced to leave their home countries because of war, environmental disasters, political
persecution and/or religious ethnic intolerance (Iowa Pathways). Many of these refugees have
lost many important aspects in their lives, such as their families, homes, source of income, and
their physical and psychological wellbeing. In Palestine Speaks: Narratives of Life Under
Occupation, by Mateo Hoke and Cate Malek, there are a multitude of narrations from the view of
the people. This book is very personal and provides a first-account view of what is going on in
the Palestine-Israel conflict. In this essay, there are also two examples of world refugee situations
and the real problems the individuals face such as lack of education, hygiene, food and water,
political enfranchisement, etc. It is also important to focus on a specific story in Palestine Speaks
that relates to the two situations. It is vital to analyze how these situations have come about and
the worlds reaction to them.
One situation that is very critical to examine is the situation currently in the country of
Sudan. In Mid-2011 a conflict started between the central Sudanese Armed Forces and the
Sudan People's Liberation Army (MSF). This civil war has caused many issues in the country.
Many citizens are seeking refuge in other countries in order to save their own lives. The numbers
are striking, According to UN figures, 6.9 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance
in Sudan. Latest estimates suggest that by the end of 2015, there could be up to 460,000 refugees
and asylum-seekers in the country (UNHCR). Many refugees are in South Sudan and they
are gathered in camps in South Sudan where they are entirely dependent on humanitarian aid for
the basic essentials they need to stay alive - food, water, shelter and healthcare (MSF). These

are basic needs that people need and should have in their life. But, sadly, many citizens of Sudan
do not acquire these basic needs. The refugees are also obtaining many medical issues. These
issues include, diarrhea, respiratory infections, malaria and hepatitis E, etc (MSF). This is
heartbreaking. Without food, water, shelter, and healthcare, these individuals are bound to die.
Much of the world is aware of what is occurring in Sudan, but it is vital that the world begins to
increase their efforts in Sudan. The world has reacted to ease conflict in Sudan and provided aid
for the people of Sudan. But, there is still much that has not been fixed. The responses made by
all of these organizations, governments, communities and donors have been helpful but not
adequate. There are still violent outbreaks, children still have inappropriate shelter, and many
have no family structure. Shelters are increasingly becoming overcrowded and there is no end in
sight unless additional humanitarian funding and government intervention is provided. It is
important to increase aid as much as possible in order to stop the terrible war happening in Sudan
and to help save the innocent people in need.
Another situation that is vital to examine is in the country of Syria. In Syria, Antigovernment demonstrations began in March of 2011, part of the Arab Spring. But the peaceful
protests quickly escalated after the government's violent crackdown, and rebels began fighting
back against the regime (Mercy Corps). Like Sudan, Syria is also involved in a civil war. The
war has killed more than 220,000 people, half of whom are believed to be civilians.
Bombings are also destroying crowded cities and horrific human rights violations are
widespread (Mercy Corps). The numbers of refugees are immense in Syria as well. The United
Nations estimates that, Over 7.2 million people are internally displaced. This is an increase of
more than three million in just a year. More than two-thirds of the countrys pre-war population
of 23 million is need urgent humanitarian assistance, whether they still remain in the country or

have escaped across the borders (Mercy Corps). Many refugees have escaped to countries such
as Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, etc (Mercy Corps). In Syria, basic necessities and medical
care are sparse. Additionally, The lack of clean water and sanitation in crowded, makeshift
settlements is an urgent concern. Diseases like cholera and polio can easily spread, even more
life threatening without enough medical services. In some areas with the largest refugee
populations, water shortages have reached emergency levels; the supply is as low as 30 liters per
person per day, which is one-tenth of what the average American uses (Mercy Corps). Lack of
education is also occurring. Sadly, The youngest refugees face an uncertain future. Some
schools have been able to divide the school day into two shifts and make room for more Syrian
students. But there is simply not enough space for all the children, and many families cannot
afford the transportation to get their kids to school (Mercy Corps). These facts are traumatizing.
Most of the world is aware of what is going on in Syria. The United Nations issued its largest
ever appeal for a single crisis. $8.4 billion is necessary to meet the needs of all those affected by
the crisis, both inside and outside Syria, an increase from last year's $6.5 billion. Yet that
previous appeal was only funded less than 50 percent (Mercy Corps). Additionally many
humanitarian organizations and governments are working with each other in order to provide
more aid and funding for Syria. But, like Sudan, much more must be done in order to truly end
this crisis.
Palestine Speaks provides a very realistic narration of what is going on with the IsraelPalestine conflict through the eyes of the people. One story in this book in which can be related
to the situations occurring in Sudan and Syria is the story of Wafa Al-Udaini. Wafa is a nongovernmental organization worker living in Gaza. Wafa discussed her life and what she and her
people are going through in Gaza. Wafa explained that, If not for the smugglers tunnels that

allowed goods to pass from Egypt to Gaza, life would be impossible (208). The tunnels
provided food, construction material, medicine, and occasional luxury goods that wouldnt
otherwise be available to them (208). Like in Sudan and Syria, individuals in Gaza are also
deprived of basic things that they need in life such as water, food, medicine, etc. Wafa was
talking about her wedding in her story, and how many things were so difficult. Wafa also
discussed how people barely had any money to buy water, electricity, gas, etc (214). Many
people in Gaza are also unemployed (214). Wafa explained that even though things are rough
for her and for the rest of her people, her wedding was still wonderful and it made her happy.
Wafa explained that Nobody has money, and basic necessities are more expensive than ever.
There is so much that needs to change in Gaza, but if she could change just one thing, she would
fix the poverty thats making life so difficult for so many Gazans (215). Wafas story is truly
inspiring, even though she has been through so many troubles in her life, she still manages to try
and stay happy. It is crucial that something happens soon in relation to the Israel-Palestine
conflict. The world, just like in Sudan and Syria, must get more involved in what is going on.
Humanitarian assistance and funding is needed in order to help the people.
Up to this point, local governments, non-governmental organizations, foreign donors, and
the international community have tried to help refugees all over the world. Unfortunately, due to
the amount of people that are in need of help, the responses by these governments, organizations
and communities has not been sufficient. The amount of money donated is still inadequate to
help the millions of people in need of assistance. The international community is also
participating in helping refugees. Additionally, many volunteers are aiding with the refugee
shelters and also with donating their own money for a good cause. The violence occurring in the
world is deeply saddening. More can be done about this issue. The international community must

pass more laws in order to end the terrible things happening causing individuals to seek refuge.
Improving global reaction of refugee crises should be a primary objective for all countries. More
awareness must be put into foreign issues. More people must be informed on global issues.
People around the world need to know what is going on everywhere. There are too many people
that do not know much about foreign matters, especially in the United States, which is quite
unfortunate. As Americans, we are very comfortable. But, it is important to look outside of our
comfort zones in order to see what is happening in the world. People are mistakenly dying
around the world from causes that could be solved if enough effort was put into them. Many
countries have continued to remain silent. Non-governmental organizations and individuals
should provide more pressure on governments to take a stand in helping other countries during
crises. Many people are dying everyday, many being children. There are many human rights
violations occurring throughout the world and now is the time to put an end to the crises.

Works Cited
Malek, Cate, Mateo Hoke, and Alex Carp. Palestine Speaks: Narratives of Life Under
Occupation. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
"South Sudan Refugee Crisis." Doctors Without Borders. N.p., Jan. 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.msf.org.au/resources/special-features/south-sudan-refugee-crisis.html>.
"UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency." UNHCR: Facts and Figures on Refugees. N.p., 2013.
Web. 21 Apr. 2015. <http://www.unhcr.org.uk/about-us/key-facts-and-figures.html>.
"What Is the Difference between Immigrants and Refugees? Iowa Pathways." Iowa Pathways.
N.p., 2003. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. <http://www.iptv.org/iowapathways/mypath.cfm?
ounid=ob_000203>.
"What You Need to Know about the Syria Crisis." Mercy Corps. N.p., 21 Apr. 2015. Web. 01
Apr. 2014. <http://www.mercycorps.org/articles/iraq-jordan-lebanon-syria/quick-factswhat-you-need-know-about-syria-crisis>.