As Record Numbers Flee Homes in 2015, Hopes of People Forced Out

Worldwide, one in every 122 persons displaced within their own country or forced to move to another country.

A group of refugees waits for clearance to enter Slovenia refugee camp. (Photo: iStockphoto)

The year 2015 saw a record number of people fleeing their homes. Over 60 million people were uprooted by wars, conflict, and persecution in countries ranging from Syria to South Sudan and Afghanistan, according to the United Nations.

That means globally, one person in every 122 has been forced out of their house, displaced within their own country or forced to move to another country.

Here are some of their stories and their hopes for 2016:

<p> I am from Aleppo City. Our house is on the line between ISIS and the Syrian government. If the Syrian army wants to attack ISIS, they put tanks near our house. When ISIS wants to attack the Syrian government, they come to our neighbourhood. My family is stuck there. It is like a nightmare, but it is true.</p><p> One time, ISIS went next door and put snipers there. When I was going to school, a sniper shot at me three times. I was lucky he missed me.</p><p> My dream was to work with NASA. But I am struggling financially because education here is so, so expensive. I am a civil engineer and I am working for people who graduated from high school. With that money, I trained to become a concrete inspector certificate.</p><p>One day, I went to a church. The pastor and I, we started talking, and he told me, “I will help you.” Until now, the church is sponsoring me and they offered me a place to stay.</p>

<p><b> Sandy Khabbazeh</b></p>

Twenty-six year old Khabbazeh is a Syrian who is now living in Oakland, New Jersey, United States. 

<p> My hope is to start my normal life as it was in my home country. I want to have a job, I want to work, as I was working in my home country, because now this is my country and this is my people.</p><p>The first day Boko Haram entered my village, Gogone, was 1 Oct 2014, and now for a second time on 25 Nov 2015. That is what caused all villagers in my town to flee.</p><p>Last year, I moved here to settle in the town of Bosso. I have a family of six boys and six women, and everyone works. Everyone contributes their stone to the building.</p><p>It forced us to leave the land our ancestors have lived in for many years. We never thought that some of our villages that existed for more than a hundred years would be deserted in an instant.</p><p>We grew peppers and so we had something with which we could survive. I am a teacher, but since 2012 I haven’t taught. People are afraid that Boko Haram will catch their children at school, so they do not send them.</p><p>During the last attack, there were 19 dead and nine people were wounded. One of my nieces has died, and a nephew of mine was wounded. There is a constant fear that doesn’t let our conscience rest.</p>

<p><b> Hassane Chetim</b></p>

Thirty six year old Chetim is a Nigerian who now lives in Bosso, Niger. 

Interviews were slightly edited and condensed for clarity.