Refugee

A refugee is a person who is outside his/her country of origin or habitual residence because he/she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because he/she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until recognized by the state where he or she makes his or her claim.

As of December 31, 2005, the largest source countries of refugees are Afghanistan, Iraq, Sierra Leone, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, and the Palestinian Territories. The country with the largest number of IDPs is South Sudan, with over 5 million. As of 2006, with 800,000 refugees and IDPs, Azerbaijan had the highest per capita IDP population in the world.