So
often the world sits idly by, watching ethnic conflicts flare up, as if these
were mere entertainment rather than human beings whose lives are being destroyed.
Shouldn't the existence of even one single refugee be a cause for alarm throughout
the world? -- Urkhan Alakbarov
World
Refugee Day is an important opportunity to remind us about the ongoing plight
of millions of refugees around the world. -- Robert
Alan | |
*
"I urge you to celebrate the extraordinary courage
and contributions of refugees past and present." - Kofi
Annan, UN
Secretary-General | |
The challenge of
ending displacement is inseparable from the challenge of establishing and maintaining
peace. When wars end, farmers return to their fields; children return to school;
violence against women declines; trade and economic activity resume; medical and
other services become more accessible, and the international focus changes from
relief to development and self-sufficiency. All this makes new wars less likely.
It is a virtuous cycle that deserves nurture and support. -- Kenneth H. Bacon
|
*
"Displaced
societies are of value. Their issues are our issues." -- Cynthia
Basinet |
"
At (UNHCR's) headquarters, I met extraordinary people, men and women, especially
from the emergency team, who shared with me their passion, their dedication and
their commitment to this organisation and refugees. They told me about the daily
difficulties they have to face and also the joy they felt when they managed to
save a person whose life was threatened." -
Julien Clerc
"Despite
very harsh living conditions and the trauma of what they went through, they [Sudanese
refugees] had a lot of dignity" - Julien
Clerc | |
"Environmental degradation,
overpopulation, refugees, narcotics, terrorism, world crime movements, and organized
crime are worldwide problems that don't stop at a nation's borders." -- Warren
Christopher
| *
While
every refugee's story is different and their anguish personal, they all share
a common thread of uncommon courage – the courage not only to survive, but to
persevere and rebuild their shattered lives. ~
Antonio Guterres,
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, 2005-
"When
food becomes
scarce, refugees often turn to desperate measures to feed themselves and their
families. We are particularly worried about the health of the refugee population,
domestic violence and refugees resorting to illegal employment or even to prostitution,
just to put enough food on the table." ~ Antonio
Guterres, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, 2005-
| Thus,
on this World Refugee Day, let us take time to recognize and draw inspiration
from these ordinary people who have shown such extraordinary courage – the world's
millions of refugees and displaced.~
Antonio Guterres,
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees There
are many challenges facing the international community today but few, in my mind,
are more pressing than those of finding humanitarian solutions to refugee problems.
We talk of regional conflicts, of economic and social crises, of political instability,
of abuses of human rights, of racism, religious intolerance, inequalities between
rich and poor, hunger, over-population, under-development and. I could go on and
on. Each and every one of these impediments to humanity’s pursuit of well-being
are also among the root causes of refugee problems. -- Poul
Hartling, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, 1978-1985
|
*
A
lasting solution, the possibility to begin a new life, is the only dignified solution
for the refugee himself. -- Poul
Hartling, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, 1978-1985 |
*
“They
are safe but they are not in their homes. They are city-less. I think it's just
a disaster for everyone." -- Teri
Hatcher | |
Refugee
Day - June 20
Portraits
for illustration purposes - no endorsement implied. Thanks
to Anukul Gurung for the fairy image of Emily Thanks to Fletcher Grayson/Gray
Media for creating The Emily Fund logo |