CNN & United Nations & Amnesty International USA – 2017-06-20 22:40:25
http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/20/world/world-refugee-day-worst-crisis-in-history/index.html
World Refugee Crisis — The Worst in World History
CNN
(June 20, 2017) We are in the midst of the world’s worst refugee crisis in history. A crisis that brings with it overwhelming numbers, huge challenges for countries and communities affected, untold misery — and hope.
More than 65 milliion people are now counted as forcibly displaced by the United Nations. That’s like the entire population of the UK or France, or about as many as everyone in New York State, Texas and Florida — all forced from their homes. Just over one-third are refugees, people forced to flee their countries because of persecution, war, or violence.
CHILDREN are disproportionately affected — more than half of refugees are under 18.
MORE PEOPLE are displaced every day — You could fill about 630 school buses with people forced from their homes. Every day.
WAR is a major factor. More than half of refugees come from three war-torn countries — Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia, the UN says.
Others flee famine or persecution. Starvation is stalking millions in Africa in 2017. And in Myanmar, there are about 1 million Rohingyas — a persecuted ethnic and religious minority who say they are being increasingly targeted and attacked. Some take refuge in the first safe place they find. Others journey on, risking all, in the hopes of finding a better new life.
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES host the greatest number of refugees.
Only 1% of refugees are resettled in any one year. 37 mostly richer nations work with the United Nations to accept refugees for resettlement. 150,000 got new homes in 2016.
But much continues to be the same. Familes feeling compelled to leave their homes and almost everything else behind. The human tide welcomed by some, rejected by others. And the key thing that is not changing — the numbers show no signs of reducing.
World Refugee Day: 20 June 2017
United Nations
“I’ve met so many who have lost so much. But they never lose their dreams for their children or their desire to better our world. They ask for little in return — only our support in their time of greatest need”
— UN Secretary-General, António Guterres
(June 20, 2017) — In a world where violence forces thousands of families to flee for their lives each day, the time is now to show that the global public stands with refugees.
To do this, the UN Refugee Agency launched the #WithRefugees petition in June 2016 to send a message to governments that they must work together and do their fair share for refugees.
On World Refugee Day, held every year on June 20th, we commemorate the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees. This year, World Refugee Day also marks a key moment for the public to show support for families forced to flee.
Will You Stand #WithRefugees?
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugrees
Each day war forces thousands of families to flee their homes.
People like you, people like me. To escape the violence, they leave everything behind — everything except their hopes and dreams for a safer future. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, believes that all refugees deserve to live in safety.
ACTION: Add your name to the #WithRefugees petition to send a clear message to governments that they must act with solidarity and shared responsibility. We stand together #WithRefugees.
Please stand with us.
The #WithRefugees Campaign petition was launched in 2016 as a platform for the public to express solidarity with people forced to flee and encourage governments to take action.
The petition asks governments to:
* Ensure every refugee child gets an education.
* Ensure every refugee family has somewhere safe to live.
* Ensure every refugee can work or learn new skills to make a positive contribution to their community.
Stop Trump’s Anti-Refugee Agenda
Margaret Huang / Amnesty International USA
Today on World Refugee Day, Amnesty International is fighting anti- refugee sentiment and expressing solidarity with the more than 22 million refugees around the world who are seeking safety and a home. Now, more than ever, we cannot shut our doors to people fleeing violence and seeking safety. Instead, we need to come together to say I Welcome.
As part of World Refugee Day, we are excited to announce an exciting and unprecedented event — 300 small concerts in 60 countries, on one day in September, to support our campaign for refugees. It’s called Give a Home, and it’s a partnership with Sofar Sounds. Starting today, you can sign up for a chance to attend one of 300 global concerts, including new and exciting talent like KT Tunstall, Local Natives, BROODS, Above & Beyond, and The Naked and Famous.
Here’s how it works. Go to Give a Home to enter. Enter your city to see concerts in your area. From there, you can sign up for a chance to attend one of 300 concerts happening in private homes or unique spaces all over the world on September 20th. On September 10th, we will announce who has received tickets and you will have the chance to attend a concert and support Amnesty’s global campaign for refugees and migrants.
We’re excited about this event and hope you are too!
Margaret Huang is the Executive Director of Amnesty International USA
PS: Want to do more to support the right of refugees? Take action by calling on your Member of Congress to block President Trump’s anti-refugee agenda that takes money away from programs to support people fleeing violence — while spending money to jail them.
THE LETTER
Recipients: US Congress
Reject President Trump’s funding request of $4.5 billion dollars for an abusive enforcement agenda. This request would increase the harmful impact on families and others fleeing to the US seeking safety.
The US already spends more on immigration enforcement than on other agencies such as the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Secret Service. Earlier this year, there were an unprecedented 42,000 men, women, and children in detention — including families who fled horrific violence and are looking for safety.
Refuse to fund the expansion of the already broken immigration system that will further line the pockets of the private prison industry.
This increase in enforcement funding is wasteful, and could instead go to life-saving programs for education, housing, and international humanitarian assistance.
