UN Chief Calls for ‘Solidarity, Compassion and Action’ on World Refugee Day
UNITED NATIONS, 25 Jun 2018
UN News – TRANSCEND Media Service
With more than 68 million people worldwide displaced due to conflict or persecution — roughly equivalent to the population of Thailand— the head of the United Nations has called for unity and solidarity as a first step to support them.
20 Jun 2018 – The appeal by Secretary-General António Guterres comes in a video message for World Refugee Day, observed this Wednesday, 20 June.
In it, he reported that a person was displaced every two seconds during 2017.
“On World Refugee Day, we must all think about what more we can we do to help.” The answer, he added, “begins with unity and solidarity.”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hH3OoxPfO0
Mr. Guterres also expressed deep concern over the rise in the number of refugees who are not receiving the protection they are entitled to. He added that communities, or countries, that provide a safe haven for those fleeing war or persecution should be supported.
Women and children wait for aid in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where one million Rohingya refugees now live. Olivia Headon/IOM
Later this year, a Global Compact on Refugees will be presented to the international community meeting at UN Headquarters in New York.
Mr. Guterres said it offers “a way forward” while also recognizing the contributions that refugees make to the societies hosting them.
“As long as there are wars and persecution, there will be refugees. On World Refugee Day, I ask you to remember them,” his message continued.
“Their story is one of resilience, perseverance and courage. Ours must be of solidarity, compassion and action.”
Aerial view of part of the Kakuma refugee camps in Kenya. With around 185,000 residents, this is one of the world’s largest refugee camps; it’s thought some 21,000 refugees are engaged in some type of entrepreneurial work. UNHCR/Siegfried Modola
DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions expressed in pieces republished here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of TMS. In accordance with title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. TMS has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is TMS endorsed or sponsored by the originator. “GO TO ORIGINAL” links are provided as a convenience to our readers and allow for verification of authenticity. However, as originating pages are often updated by their originating host sites, the versions posted may not match the versions our readers view when clicking the “GO TO ORIGINAL” links. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.