Today, June 20th, is World Refugee Day. Starting in 2001, this event starts this day each year in the United States and reaches the rest of the globe. It recognizes the efforts that
refugees make around the world to survive after losing their homes and is used to educate and raise money for the cause’s future. World Refuge Day is supported throughout the world through the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, which just celebrated its 60th anniversary and now the event’s 10th anniversary. The need for continued education and advocacy around refugee populations and service is reflected in a recent report that 80% of refugees are in developing countries, making up 4/5 of the refugee population around the world.
Join the efforts of UNHCR and become a part of the action today. Make a difference, follow the theme of this day, “Do One Thing”. UNHCR chief António Guterres and Hollywood actress and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie joined forces in a visit to an Italian island, Lampedusa in support of the event. They met with refugees escaping to the island from their countries in Africa and urged European countries to keep their borders open for refugees especially those escaping from the issues in Libya. UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie also traveled to Turkey to visit refugees from Syria that were in the area of the border between the countries.
There are individual events throughout the US to support this cause–from Washington DC to New York, all the way to the West Coast! (for us Massachusetts residents, there is an event in West Springfield this evening) Not in any of these areas? You can create your own way to educate others of the cause. Invite some friends over to watch a movie related to the issue, listen to firsthand experiences from a refugee guest speaker or even cook some international food in support of the cause.
Ready to reach further than educating your friends? Be creative and make a fundraiser, a donation or make a donation that also sends an ecard to someone you love to help educate the world about this important cause. Anything and everything is welcome!
-Cara