Family members are lost, some die and many are separated. People lose their means of livelihood and all their resources. There is a general loss of direction, of purpose and of meaning in life, especially in separated families. Many refugees suffer disabilities in flight and need medical attention they cannot get. The elderly are abandoned and those who cannot cope fall by the wayside.
Many people die because they simply give up hope.
They feel they have nothing left to live for. Perhaps the most tragic victims are the children who become separated from their parents. Women with small children without male support are often expected to fend for themselves. For women from traditional, conservative backgrounds, this can be especially difficult. Often, these women are taken advantage of and are sometimes victims of physical and sexual abuse.