21 June 2013 - WORLD REFUGEE DAY

WORLD REFUGEE DAY

G'day guys,

Did you know that yesterday was WORLD REFUGEE DAY? Indeed it was. Many guests who have been on this blog, and some who will be on this blog, are doing extraordinary work for refugees and those caught up in wars, famine, droughts and natural disasters. I take my hat off to them.

World Refugee Day 2013

"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.” -António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees


World Refugee Day (20 June) is a time to reflect on the challenges faced by refugees and the courage they demonstrate in overcoming them. It is also an opportunity to focus our support for millions of people who have been displaced by war, disasters, and humanitarian crises.

Multiple humanitarian emergencies in Syria, Mali, South Sudan, and DRC have forced record numbers of people to flee. For World Refugee Day 2013, UNHCR invites everyone to support "1 family" campaign and reflect on the devastating impact of war on families. The “1 family” campaign reminds the world that the victims of war are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters and that even 1 family torn apart by war is too many.

What is a refugee?

According to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention, a refugee is someone who fled his or her home and country owing to “a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” Many refugees live in exile to escape the effects of natural disasters or human-made crises. Every minute eight people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror.
 
The UN Refugee Agency and Australia for UNHCR


Protecting refugees and other forcibly displaced people - asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, stateless persons, and returnees – is the core mandate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In more than six decades, the UN Refugee Agency has helped tens of millions of people by providing protection, shelter, emergency relief, health care, education, legal and counselling services, capacity building, and durable solutions.

Australia for UNHCR is a non-profit organisation that helps raise funds to support UNHCR’s international humanitarian operations. With the support of more than 50,000 Australian donors, volunteers and supporters, Australia for UNHCR is able to help UNHCR respond to emergencies, and to fund projects for education, water and sanitation systems, medical clinics, skills training, and infrastructure.

World Refugee Day 2013 Breakfast

To celebrate World Refugee Day, Australia for UNHCR hosts an annual breakfast, a fundraising event which raises awareness about the plight of refugees and how the community can help them.  


How you can help refugees


There are lots of ways to support refugees and get involved with UNHCR. Whether it's signing up to be a donor, volunteering, fundraising or attending an event, any way you can help will make a huge difference to refugee lives. Please click here to learn more about how you can help refugees.

In 1 minute, a family can lose their home. 
In 1 minute, you can help them find a shelter.
In 1 minute, a child can lose his parents. 
In 1 minute, you can help him find comfort.
In 1 minute, a family can lose everything. 
In 1 minute, you can help them regain hope.  
It takes only 1 minute to help a family in need.

Please donate today to help UNHCR provide displaced families with protection, shelter, medical assistance, and urgent relief. 

 Clancy's comment: 

Since Europeans first landed in this country in 1788, Australia has gained extraordinary benefits from migrants and refugees who have made their home in this country. However, with an influx in refugees in recent times, often sadly termed as 'boat people', the two major political parties have handled the entire situation in a disgraceful manner. What's worse is that many of those politicians proudly espouse to be practising  Christians. Hello!

However, there are some shining lights.  This week, former Australian of the Year and mental health expert, Pat McGorry, took a stand and slammed our detention centre policies for "knowingly doing harm" to some of the world's most vulnerable people. Meanwhile in Canberra, retiring Liberal MP, Judi Moylan, used her farewell speech to urge Parliament to recognise the cruelty of Australia's enduring practice of mandatory, indefinite detention.

Go, Pat! Go, Judy! Love ya work!

And, to those politicians who act so harshly - WAKE UP!

I'm ...

an Australian citizen who deserves, and demands, better from those paid to make fair and reasonable decisions for and on behalf of we citizens and ... refugees. The way you have been acting makes me seriously wonder  how closely related  you are to my wonderful friend below.

Amen.