They may have stayed for a long time in another country, the country of first asylum, while their future was being decided. They are exiles from their homeland, and they have to work through the trauma of exile. They are separated from family. They may feel guilty for leaving their homelands, and for surviving. They worry about events at home and whether their friends and family are safe.
Refugees are survivors.
They are alive, in spite of obstacles and dangers. Only refugees who meet the definition of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees can be sponsored. These are Convention refugees. From time to time, the Canadian government creates a special designated class of refugees in response to emergency situations, such as war or revolution. People in this category can be sponsored.