Refugees

America's wars continue to account for many of the world's refugees: 4.7m originate from Iraq and Afghanistan, almost half the world's total, according to the UNHCR's annual report. America also accepts more refugees for permanent settlement than any other country (71,400 in 2010). Most refugees, however, end up as temporary residents in neighbouring countries. If a conflict or natural disaster is regional, states of origin may also be host states. Hundreds of thousands have fled civil wars in Congo and Sudan, but many seek refuge in both countries too. Tibetans may flee China, but the People's Republic hosts more refugees than it produces—mostly accounted for by 300,000 Vietnamese long settled in China.