Most take to the road on foot, heading for the nearest border. They flee war, terrified that they will be attacked or caught in the cross-fire. They flee individual persecution, frightened that they will be imprisoned, tortured or executed. Their fears are based on real suffering, real threats or the real experiences of friends and neighbours. Every single refugee is the consequence of a government's failure to protect human rights.
Some governments commit violations.
Some tolerate them. Others are unable to prevent them. Fifteen million refugees are a massive indictment of the world's governments. A further 20 million people are internally displaced. They have been forced to abandon their homes but are still within the borders of their country of origin.