Contact: Daphne Keys, 407-207-3256

ORLANDO, Fla., July 1, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- A new report from the United Nations warns that worldwide the number of refugees and people being "forcibly displaced" from their homes due to wars, conflict and persecution is at the highest levels ever recorded … and accelerating fast.

"Worldwide, one in every 122 humans is now either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum. Were this the population of a country, it would be the world's 24th biggest," says the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The single largest driver of displacement? The war in Syria. In 2014, an average of 42,500 people became refugees, asylum seekers or internally displaced … every day. This represents a four-fold increase in just four years.

Many displaced Syrians are finding temporary residence in Jordan. Jamal Hashweh, a Jordanian who serves as regional field leader for the Middle East for Global Hope Network International (GHNI), is seeing this firsthand.

"With only the clothes on their back and what little money or possessions they were able to carry, these refugees are in a desperate situation," Mr. Hashweh reports. "Up to 20 people might share a two-bedroom house."

GHNI is providing much-needed relief but also aims to help these individuals through a coaching-based process called Transformational Community Development (TCD), helping displaced people to help themselves out of severe poverty. Through TCD, Global Hope Network is successfully empowering those living in extreme poverty to end it themselves in more than 40 countries worldwide.

The Florida-based GHNI is also working with displaced families and refugees fleeing the dangers of terror and violence around the globe in places such as Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Armenia.

In 2015, in Spitak, Armenia, the House of Esther was established both as a residence and training center for women, children and families who have been traumatized by war. Once the residents are on the path to recovery, they begin participating in Transformational Community Development activities, which make the House of Esther sustainable.

"In all of these places, the need is as staggering as it is seemingly endless," Mr. Hashweh concludes. "GHNI will continue to provide relief and offer hope to these individuals and families who have lost everything."

To request interviews with Jamal Hashweh, contact Daphne Keys at daphne.keys@ghni.org or 407-207-3256.

ABOUT GHNI
Formed in 2000, Global Hope Network International is bringing help and hope to the hidden and hurting in Africa, Asia and the Middle East through a coaching-based process called Transformational Community Development. This year, GHNI's "Christmas in July" campaign will focus on helping displaced families and refugees fleeing the dangers of terror and violence. Learn more at globalhopenetwork.org.