Hope Away From Home: World Refugee Day

By theorkneynews on June 20, 2023 • ( Leave a comment )

Today, 20th of June is World Refugee Day.

World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on 20 June and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
UNHCR

Wars, conflict, persecution and climate change drive people to leave the lands they were born in to seek shelter and refuge in a safe place elsewhere. Across the centuries people have had to flee to safety. It is a mark of a caring society when those seeking refuge are welcomed and supported. Unfortunately it is not always the case and in the UK today the demonising of refugees by the Tory Government and some news outlets is shocking. It wasn’t always that way in the UK.

statue of refugees in Liverpool of the Kindertransport — Kindertransport monument at Liverpool Street Station. A project established by the Association of Jewish Refugees, it pays tribute to those Britons who aided the rescue of 10,000 Jewish children from the Nazi persecution which led onto the holocaust. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wjh31)

This year, 2023, is ‘Hope Away From Home’.

Hope Away From Home world refugee day and picture are two African girls sitting at school and smiling

Including refugees in the communities where they have found safety after fleeing conflict and persecution is the most effective way to support them in restarting their lives and enable them to contribute to the countries hosting them.

World Refugee Day shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees can not only survive but also thrive.