The world sheds
a tear for its displaced millions, but everybody needs to help much more
efficiently, in order to move people to more secure, more healthy and less
threatening positions, whether within their own country or in your country!
World Refugee
Day image; Credit: © Shutterstock
World Refugee
Day is held every year on 20th June, there are more displaced and
forcibly-moved people and their families who need care in a country that is not
their own. Internally displaced people also figure in this refugee problem,
especially in the case of war.
While previous
years have concentrated on protection, the home and families that are torn
apart, this year features again the fleeing family. With the addition of a
personal fundraising site, this theme involves taking a minute to support such
families. Security and safety in your own culture with confidence in other
nations and people acting responsibly seems a common UN theme. With refugees,
it is pre-eminent.
People choose to
leave their homes, or are forced out by some disaster to choose exile rather
than death and injury. With several recent genocides, we should all be familiar
with these situations so there is little excuse for ignoring the troubles of
other peoples. To be honest, 43.3 million in 2010 was quite a peak (since the
1990s). 10.4 million found their way to the jurisdiction areas of the UN
itself, while Palestinians numbering 4.7 million are still with the UN mandated
UNRWA.
The “family of
nations” that support this international set of actions is legion of course,
with some supporting more than others. Other international organisations such
as the Red Crescent and Red Cross and some national entities such as Medecins Sans
Frontieres, or Doctors Without Borders are all coordinated by the IASC (the
Inter-Agency Standing Committee) with UNHCR the lead agency for refugees. The
camps it runs have many other agencies providing material, medical and
spiritual help. Food, shelter and hospital facilities are possibly the more
important. With a 5-year stay quite unacceptable as a regular period for people
to remain there, more movement out from the camps is highly desirable.
Antonio
Guterres, High Commissioner of the UNHCR has stated, “The problem of protracted
refugee situations has reached enormous proportions - more than 30 [such]
situations are to be found throughout the world, the vast majority of them in
African and Asian countries which are struggling to meet the needs of their own
citizens.
·
See
more at: http://www.earthtimes.org/politics/world-refugee-day-20th-june-2013/2385/#sthash.9B5sc9Oq.dpuf
World Refugee Day
Art Contest Exhibition, Canberra,
14-28 June,
Be moved by the
artworks created by students from across Australia
and New Zealand
created around the World Refugee Day theme: "1 family torn apart by war is
too many". On display at the Theo
Notaras Multicultural Centre, 180 London Cct, Canberra from 14-28 June.
GetUp members have already ensured that the children on Manus are no longer Out of Sight, Out of Mind but we need to keep the pressure up so our decision-makers know that we expect better.
Today, on World Refugee Day, will you contact your MP and speak up for those who are held out of sight, but not out of mind on Manus Island? Use the tool on the right to send a quick email your MP
Want to participate in a feel-good action in support of refugees this weekend? On Saturday, the great folks from Welcome to Australia have organised rallies, walks, festivals and picnics in support of a more humane, more compassionate, more diverse Australia. The events are sure to be fun, family-friendly and peaceful celebrations. Last year, more than 10,000 people attended. Let's make it even more this year: RSVP for your nearest Walk Together here.Where: In your city.
When: 1pm Saturday June 22
Info: For details of Walk Together events in your local area see the list below.
Info: For details of Walk Together events in your local area see the list below.
