BY: ELLE DJ
In 2001, the UN (United Nations) designated June 20th as World Refugee Day to highlight the global refugee crisis and show support for refugees. On this day, the courage and resilience of refugees are honoured and we recognize the millions of people who have sadly been compelled to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, natural disasters, or other reasons.
According to the United Nations, there are over 26 million people worldwide who currently hold refugee status, and this number is only expected to grow in the coming years. After leaving their difficulties in their respective countries, refugees often face other obstacles post-arrival, including discrimination, cultural differences, and language barriers. Despite those challenges, refugees still stay determined to succeed and bring to their new communities the many skills and talents that they have.
The theme of this year’s World Refugee Day is “Together We Heal, Learn, and Shine” which accentuates the importance of working together, supporting each other and helping all inhabitants of the country we call home (especially the newcomers). Some ideas to help refugees include:
Learning about their experiences: By learning about the experiences of refugees and getting to personally know some, we can better understand the challenges they face and the needs that they may have. This can help us to be more empathetic and supportive.
Supporting organizations that help refugees: Many organizations work to support refugees, such as the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the Refugee Council. Volunteering your time or possibly donating to these organizations can truly make a difference in the lives of someone in need.
Recognizing the contributions that refugees make to their new communities: Refugees bring many abilities and skills to their new communities, and by acknowledging these contributions, we can help to promote inclusion and break down the many stereotypes held towards them.
Before they were forced to leave their homes, they had lives; they had their skills and talents, their personalities, and their memories and experiences- just as we do. Their resettlement into a country for a better, safer life should not be met with any type of stigma. This World Refugee Day, I encourage everyone to learn about the experiences of refugees and to support organizations that work to support them. By working together we can undoubtedly help to create a more welcoming and inclusive world for all, where each of us can heal, learn, and shine.