What is a Refugee?

Before you read anymore more of my blog, most importantly the stories being told be Iraqi men and women here in Amman, please take a moment try and understand the full reality of what it means to be a refugee. As respect to all these individuals brave enough to share their stories to me and you, it is the least we can do to understand what it is that follows the beginnings and ends of any violent conflict. Whether it is our war or not, a refugee will still be a refugee. He or she will still go on to experience many of the same tragedies and struggles regardless of whether the war eventually ends, regardless of whether we apologize, and regardless of whether or not these people displaced by war and conflict find it in their hearts to forgive for all they have lost.

" One who flees in search of refuge, as in times of war, political oppressions, or religious prosecution"

Although countless definitions of the word refugee exist today (geographical, political, etc.), I believe the definition given above serves as the most simplistic description of the terrifying reality that so many of the Iraqis I am meeting have had to face.