Tension builds early in the film “Hotel Rwanda”. In one scene, the suave manager of the Hotel Milles Collines, Paul Rusesabagina (played by Don Cheadle), drives home late at night. A scratchy voice whispers something hateful sounding out of his car radio. Children throw a bottle that smashes against his car, and military vehicles drive past, shouting out orders on a megaphone. When he arrives home, Paul finds his wife and a large group of neighbours, all terrified, huddling in a bedroom. They want to flee but know neither how nor where to turn. The genocide has begun.
Whether caused by conflict, discrimination or even environmental disasters, people find themselves in similar situations today. Where can I go? How can I flee? Where will my family and I find safety? It’s hard to find immediate or easy answers to these tough questions. This marks the starting point for would-be refugees—people who must flee their homeland in order to find safety. Their journey is often long and never easy.
June 20 is World Refugee Day. Take time to stop and reflect on what causes people to be labelled “refugees.” Consider what can be done to improve the lives of those now living in displaced persons camps that are overcrowded and undersupplied. The United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that at the end of 2006 there were 9.9 million refugees and 12.8 million people internally displaced (that is, forced to relocate within their own country).
World Vision helps refugees face the challenges of displacement. In refugee camps around the world, we are at the frontline supplying needed emergency supplies such as blankets, tents and essential nutritional support. World Vision also works to prevent such crises in the first place. At the local level, our development programs help to build stable and peaceful communities. At the government level, our advocacy work calls for a system that is just and fair, so that all society can be strengthened and live in peace.
What Can You Do?
Stay Informed - Click here to learn more about the UN High Commission on Refugees and World Refugee Day.
Investigate - Click here for excellent Web videos on refugees plus a Google Earth tool that allows you to explore where refugees are located globally.
Get Involved - Get to know the newcomers in your school or community. Listen to their stories and learn about their ways of life. Click here to contact the Canadian Council of Refugees. They can connect you with local organizations that you can support.
