World Refugee Day is celebrated every year on 20th of June with an aim to support millions of families all over the world who have lost their homes and loved ones because of violence or war.
This year’s theme is different due to some exceptional circumstance like Covid-19 pandemic and mass protests in the USA.
This is how the UN put it on their website:
“The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent anti-racism protests have shown us how desperately we need to fight for a more inclusive and equal world: a world where no one is left behind. It has never been clearer that all of us have a role to play in order to bring about change.
Everyone can make a difference. This is at the heart of UNHCR’s World Refugee Day campaign. This year, we aim to remind the world that everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society and Every Action Counts in the effort to create a more just, inclusive, and equal world.”
Background
The day was established by the UN General Assembly for the refugees to honor them for their courage of facing lots of problems after losing homes due to conflict or violence and their contributions to their communities.
It aims to provide an opportunity to all to help the refugees worldwide to rebuild their quality lives through lots of related activities. It is also meant to eliminate all the horrific violence from the countries and community which is the main reason of people’s displacement and formation of refugees.
According to UN estimates, 55% of all the refugees come from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Myanmar.
Important Figures
According to the UN report:
• We are now witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record.
• An unprecedented 70.8 million people around the world have been forced from home by conflict and persecution at the end of 2018.
Among them are nearly 30 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18. There are also millions of stateless people, who have been denied a nationality and access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement.
How to help
There are a group of Muslim organizations which have launched appeals to help the refugees such as:
Islamic Relief
Since the conflict began, Islamic Relief has delivered more than £239 million worth of aid inside Syria and in neighboring countries, assisting millions of Syrians. They are also running camps and providing livelihood programs, education and psychosocial support for refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
Muslim Aid
Helping refugees start a new life
Muslim Aid will continue to assist refugees not just in the United Kingdom but also in isolated parts of the world. Make a donation so that you can be the reason these people can get back on their feet.
Islamic Help
Islamic Help is working directly with the Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh and has already distributed over £1,000,000 worth of aid in the form of food, medical supplies, shelter, water and other emergency items.