What is it like in an area that refugees have fled from?

Are people’s former homes looted? destroyed? appropriated? Does anyone protect the area?

Once people start to leave in large numbers, what happens to those who remain? Once the majority have gone, does everyone else really have to go for their own safety?

Have you ever been in such an area yourself? Have you ever had to evacuate for reasons of political or military conflict? Could you ever go back?

I hope this question doesn’t raise terrible memories for anyone. Coverage usually follows the people who go. I wonder about what’s been left behind.