The Startling New Global Statistic You Probably Don't Know but Should

The number of refugees is now at its highest record ever, according to a new United Nations report. By the end of 2015, 65.3 million people had been forcibly displaced from their homes and were considered asylum seekers, internally displaced people, or refugees. The number represents one in 113 people in the world and is an increase of five million since 2014.

New @refugees data reveals highest displacement level ever recorded - https://t.co/0k4SSrUkxl #UN4RefugeesMigrants pic.twitter.com/DylZRwEhoV

— United Nations (@UN) June 20, 2016

More than half of refugees come from Syria, Afghanistan, and Somalia, three countries torn apart by war and persecution. Turkey is the biggest host country, accepting 2.5 million refugees in 2015.

The sobering statistics come as the UN says growing xenophobia in Europe has exacerbated the crisis.

"At sea, a frightening number of refugees and migrants are dying each year," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi in the UN report. "On land, people fleeing war are finding their way blocked by closed borders."

Read one woman's account of dropping her vacation plans to help the Syrian refugees and then learn what you can do to help alleviate the emergency.