ninemillion.org  Back to Summary What is a refugee?   A refugee is a person who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country..." -The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees Today, UNHCR cares for 20.8 million people in 117 countries: refugees, internally displaced persons, returnees, asylum seekers and other categories. Nine million of them are refugee youth who need our help. The ninemillion.org campaign highlights the plight of nine million refugee children to a world that has long ignored their needs. By giving refugee children a chance to learn and play, it is hoped that they will be able to see beyond their current situation and envision a future for themselves and their communities. The campaign is about each one of us gaining an understanding of what it is to be a refugee, and taking action to help create a better future for many of them. © 2007 ninemillion.org. All Rights Reserved.