Imagine waking up to the sound of gunfire and screams and frantically dashing into the night to escape the chaos. Separated from friends and family, you've left everything you owned behind. The only things that remain are the pair of blue jeans and T-shirt that you're wearing and the knowledge that it isn't safe to go back. With your wallet, ID and money also gone, your world has been turned upside down.

Where will you go? What will you do? Will you ever see your family again?

Sadly, this is a familiar story for many of the over 20 million refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in the world today. War, persecution, political instability and even climate change continue to force thousands of people from their homes every year.

It's easy to think of refugees as an issue that does not affect us. The wars and persecution that produce refugees may happen halfway around the world, but we are more closely connected to them than you may think. Consider the following:

What you can do

1. New Canadians could be your neighbours or classmates. Make them feel welcome in their new home.
2. Contact your local Member of Parliament and engage them in discussions about Canada's role in addressing the refugee situations in places like Afghanistan and Darfur.
3. Adopt environment-friendly practices such as recycling to help stem the tide of climate refugees.
4. Click here to learn more about refugees around the world.
5. Commemorate World Refugee Day on June 20 by holding an awareness-building event with a guest speaker from an organization that assists newcomers.