The classic film ‘Casablanca’ which takes place during World War II tells the story of refugees who are desperately trying to find a way out of the city. Many, if they were lucky, could obtain passports from the city and leave for other countries.

According to an article in Bloomberg from November 2022, more than 100,000 Russians fled to Serbia after Putin’s regime began. They found refuge in Europe’s new ‘Casablanca’, in Belgrade. It further states that in many of the co-working spaces, all you hear is Russian.

Hum110 Final Exam – Study Guide from Studocu.com clarifies that refugees in Casablanca who obtained passports went mainly to Lisbon, Portugal. An affirmation of this can be seen in the opening scene, where a man warns an Englishman to depart Casablanca immediately.

Brainly.com further corroborates the claim that many refugees were able to get passports from the city and go to countries such as the United States, South America, and Europe.

From the evidence gathered, it is clear that many refugees from Casablanca were able to get passports and leave for other countries, mainly Lisbon, Portugal. Others were able to go to other destinations, such as United States, South America, and Europe.

Today, refugees still seek safe havens in countries that offer better opportunities for them. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as of May 2023, around 79.5 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced due to conflict and persecution. That’s more than one person forcibly displaced every two seconds.

We may not be able to go back in time and save refugees from the 1940s, but we can certainly do our part in supporting refugees today. Organizations like the Red Cross and UNHCR are working tirelessly to provide aid to those in need.

We can do our part in helping, whether it is through donations or advocating on their behalf for better policies. Let us not forget that even though Casablanca may be a fictional movie, the plight of refugees is very much real.