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    Six-year-old Agnesa Aliu is beginning a new life. In March 1999, as ethnic conflict engulfed Kosovo, (click for map) Agnesa and her family were forced to abandon their home in the village of Suhodoll at a moment’s notice.As the world watched in horror, nearly 850,000 ethnic Albanians poured into neighboring countries to escape the violence and bloodshed in Kosovo. Agnesa spent 4 months as a refugee. Her family moved from place to place and, along with 35 other people, lived out of a trailer towed by a tractor until they were given tents by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Most of the refugees eventually returned home under the protection of the international military force known as KFOR and the United Nations Interim Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is administering the province. Now, Agnesa and her two brothers are growing up in their birthplace and she is excited to be starting primary school this year. "I like to play, I like to run. Please help other children like you helped me", she told a UN relief worker. There are over 22 million refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers — one out of every 269 people on earth — in Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and North America. Forced to flee because of war, political turmoil, civil strife and ethnic hatred, they need assistance to be able to return home and rebuild their shattered lives. In crisis situations, UN agencies provide food, emergency medical help and safe shelter. For example, UNHCR helps people voluntarily repatriate to their old homes or resettle in new countries by providing transportation and a start-up package, which can include cash grants and practical assistance such as farm tools and seeds. Sometimes, assistance covers the rebuilding of homes, schools, clinics and roads. FIND OUT MORE about how UN agencies such as UNHCR work around the world to help people whose lives have been upended by wars and natural disasters. Click on the links next to Agnesa. ADDITIONAL STORIES ABOUT EMERGENCIES: Rafa cooks for a town | Ulrich knows what they need The Cruz family needs help | Ethiel's up and running again Photo credit: Helene Caux |
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