Celebrate World Refugee Day!

 

June 20 is the 20th annual World Refugee Day, an international day commemorating the United Nations’ 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Essentially, World Refugee Day commemorates the creation of the modern refugee system. Today, celebration of World Refugee Day “celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.”

At US Together, World Refugee Day allows us a moment of reflection on the resilience and strength of the refugees we serve. We know that it takes so much to leave behind home, country, and family, and that rebuilding anew in the United States is never easy. We don’t take for granted the opportunity we have been given to work with the brave refugees we serve, and we are inspired by their spirit every day of the year. Here are a few stories of refugees whose courage motivates us:

And below, watch a video of Ramesh from Namaste Indo-Nepali Cuisine, whose family was one of the first Bhutanese-Nepali refugee families resettled by US Together:

 
 

World Refugee Day is an opportunity to reflect on the rights of refugees and displaced persons everywhere:

  • The right not to be expelled, except under certain, strictly defined conditions;

  • The right not to be punished for illegal entry into the territory of a contracting State;

  • The right to work;

  • The right to housing;

  • The right to education;

  • The right to public relief and assistance;

  • The right to freedom of religion;

  • The right to access the courts;

  • The right to freedom of movement within the territory;

  • The right to be issued identity and travel documents.

World Refugee Day is also an important time to recognize that these rights are not always enforced fairly or consistently, and millions of refugees today are in need of advocacy and support for their rights.

In fact, there are more refugees now than at any point in human history: more than 26 million. About half of these refugees are children. While the US long led the world in refugee resettlement, there were many cuts to resettlement programs and numbers in recent years, which have only recently been restored. And even so, fewer than 1% of all refugees in the world will ever be resettled to a third country. Millions of lives, millions of futures, and millions of families will spend their lives in refugee camps. World Refugee Day is a reminder that on June 20, and the other 364 days of the year, refugees around the world need support.

One way you can make a difference this World Refugee Day is to support the work of US Together. Since 2003, we have been making a difference in the lives of refugees throughout Ohio. Through our comprehensive resettlement programs, interpreting services, and wraparound case management, we empower our new neighbors to live productive, healthy lives. Support US Together as a donor, sponsor, volunteer, or intern.

 
Isaiah BakerCleveland, Columbus, Toledo, International