Description:
One of this century's greatest tragedies, and one of our greatest challenges, has been the movement of millions of refugees. . . . This book, by an expert in the field, gives a comprehensive view of where we have been, and where we are likely to go, in coping with this world's endless stream of refugees.
Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman, Subcommittee on Immigration and Refugee Affairs
This survey of post-World War II refugees by a former UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees focuses on those assisted through the United Nations and its affiliated Refugees (UNHCR), the International Committee for Migration, and the World Food Program. . . . Smyser argues that refugee problems and crises are far from over and will continue to require urgent international cooperative treatment. He presents a lengthy agenda with recommendations `to preserve the global structure of refugee protection and care, to help those who need help, to prevent abuse, and to bring refugee concepts and practices into a framework appropriate to our troubled times. Choice
Review Quotes: "This survey of post-World War II refugees by a former UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees focuses on those assisted through the United Nations and its affiliated agencies such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Committee for Migration, and the World Food Program. Refugees from Africa, Indochina, Afghanistan, and Central and Latin America have been included. The Palestinians, who are under jurisdiction of a special agency, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), are excluded from the study. The Jet People, ' intercontinental refugees from Asia and Africa who have flown, mostly to Western Europe to seek asylum, constitute a new phenomenon. During the 1980s hundreds of thousands hit Western Europe like a shock, ' and now the doors for asylum seekers from the Third World are clanging shut all over' the continent. Smyser argues that refugee problems and crises are far from over and will continue to require urgent international cooperative treatment. He presents a lengthy agenda with recommendations to preserve the global structure of refugee protection and care, to help those who need help, to prevent abuse, and to bring refugee concepts and practices into a framework appropriate to our troubled times."-Choice