This volume is part of the "World Issues" series and looks at the plight of the many refugees worldwide. The author defines what refugees are and looks at refugees in the past. He describes the reasons for their homeless state and discusses specific regions and groups of refugees such as the Palestinians and the Vietnamese "boat people". The situation is also considered from the refugees' point of view, what it means to leave a homeland or live in an overcrowded camp. Derek Heater then describes the different kinds of help available, the efforts made by international agencies to assist refugees and to give them a fresh start, and what we, as individuals, can do. Key aspects are selected for readers to discuss and analyze, with the aim of raising their levels of awareness and promoting independent thought and opinion. - from Amzon