Promoting Solidarity for Displaced Communities on World Refugee Day
Abuja, [22/06/2023] – The Nigerian Red Cross Society joins the global community in observing World Refugee Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by millions of refugees worldwide and acknowledging their resilience, courage, and contributions. It is a time to reflect upon the plight of forcibly displaced individuals and to stand in solidarity with them, offering support, compassion, and hope.
The world is currently experiencing the highest levels of displacement on record. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), an unprecedented 82.4 million people are forcibly displaced, including refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons. These individuals have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, violence, or human rights violations.
World Refugee Day serves as a reminder that behind these staggering numbers are real people—mothers, fathers, children, and grandparents—who have been uprooted from their communities and stripped of their sense of belonging. It is our responsibility as a global society to address their needs, protect their rights, and create a safe environment where they can rebuild their lives.
This year's theme for World Refugee Day, "Together we heal, learn, and shine," emphasizes the power of unity, empathy, and shared responsibility in supporting refugees. It calls upon governments, organizations, and individuals to collaborate, showing compassion towards those who have been forcibly displaced, and working towards solutions that foster inclusion and dignity for all.
On this occasion, we acknowledge the resilience and strength of refugees who, despite facing unimaginable hardships, have managed to rebuild their lives and make significant contributions to their host communities. They bring diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives that enrich societies around the world. It is crucial that we recognize their potential and provide opportunities for their talents to flourish.
In order to address the needs of refugees effectively, we call upon governments to uphold their international obligations to protect and support displaced individuals. Adequate resources and comprehensive policies must be put in place to ensure access to education, healthcare, employment, and legal protection. Furthermore, it is vital to foster a culture of inclusion and combat xenophobia and discrimination, promoting social cohesion and understanding.
Non-governmental organizations, civil society, and individuals also play a pivotal role in supporting refugees. We encourage everyone to get involved by volunteering, advocating for refugee rights, and supporting organizations working on the ground to provide essential services and assistance.
This World Refugee Day, let us remember that no one chooses to be a refugee, and the circumstances that force individuals to flee their homes could happen to any one of us. By showing empathy, compassion, and solidarity, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate world where every displaced person is treated with dignity, respect, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
About The Nigerian Red Cross:
The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) was established through an Act of the Parliament in 1960. The Act, referred to as the Nigerian Red Cross Act of 1960, CAP 324 states in Section 5 (1) that ‘the Society shall be recognised by the Government of the Federation as a Voluntary Aid Society, auxiliary to the public authorities’.
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Chima Nwankwo
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