What causes people to flee their homes?

Persecution, conflict and natural disasters all force people to leave their homes, their possessions, and very often their loved ones, at a drop of a hat to seek safety elsewhere.

The most recent crises for urban refugees .
The current conflict in Syria has resulted in 200,000 people fleeing to cities in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Hurricane Sandy exposed the difficulties faced by Haitians still displaced by the 2010 earthquake.

What problems do urban refugees face? 

Urban refugees face many of the same problems as the local population as well as others unique to their situation, including discrimination, harassment and abuse. A lack of legal recognition in many countries makes it extremely difficult for urban refugees to access basic services like health care and education for their children and leaves them vulnerable to exploitation, including human trafficking.

More than half of the world’s 10.5 million refugees now live in the slums of some of the world’s major cities.

Irish photographer Andrew McConnell began his career as a press photographer covering the closing stages of the conflict in his homeland before transitioning to more in-depth social documentary work around the world. 
His images have appeared internationally in publications such as National Geographic Magazine, Newsweek, Time magazine, The New York Times, The Guardian, FT Magazine, Vanity Fair, the Sunday Times Magazine, Der Spiegel, L’espresso, and Internazionale.

Hidden Lives: photos of urban refugees
by International Rescue Committee and Panos
Photographs by Andrew McConnel
From 7 - 31 January, 2013
Throughout St Pancras International station
London
UK