Remembering refugees

by Nikki Tundel, Minnesota Public Radio

There are an estimated 40 million refugees and displaced persons worldwide. That's the entire population of Minnesota -- times 8.

St. Paul, Minn. — June 20 is World Refugee Day. Technically, it's a global observance created by the United Nations General Assembly. But, simply put, it's a time to remember the millions and millions of people who are forced to flee their homes every year, many with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Louise Paterson works with thousands of those refugees. She heads up the American Refugee Committee's program in Pakistan. Louise says she "never set out to be Mother Teresa." She says she just wanted a job that combined her interest in current affairs with her desire to help people.

Reporter Nikki Tundel sat down with Paterson to talk about the refugee situation in Pakistan.