REFUGEE DAY
June 20

In countries where people have to flee their homes because of persecution and violence, political solutions must be found, peace and tolerance restored, so that refugees can return home. In my experience, going home is the deepest wish of most refugees. ~ Angelina Jolie

After Hurricane Katrina, thousands of survivors were left without homes. As refugees, they were taken in by communities across the nation. Disasters cause many people to leave their homes around the world, but millions of people have to flee their homes for another reason - violent conflicts cause them to fear for their lives.

Over 50 million people are currently victims of forced displacement. Of those, 14 million fit the international legal definition of a refugee - people who have left their country because of fear of persecution based on their political opinion, ethnic background, religion or nationality.

The United Nations set up UNHCR - the UN Refugee Agency in 1951 to help the 1.2 million Europeans who were left homeless after World War II. Since then the organization has helped protect 50 million refugees.

World Refugee Day is an important opportunity to remind us about the ongoing plight of millions of refugees around the world.

"I urge you to celebrate the extraordinary courage and contributions of refugees past and present." - Kofi Annan

World Refugee Day
Do Your Bit
UN's Dag Hammarskjold Library Links
Human Rights Watch: Refugees
Refugees International
International Rescue Committee
Amnesty International
Changing The Present - Refugees
Mercy Corps
UN Cyberschoolbus - Refugees
UNHCR - The UN Refugee Agency
UNHCR-Protecting Refugees
American Refugee Committee
US Committee for Refugees
European Council on Refugees and Exiles

Gallery of Prominent Refugees

REFUGEE QUOTES

World Refugee Day Handout - PDF
(distribute freely with copyright notice)

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Kofi Annan

Cynthia Basinet

Antonio Guterres

Poul Hartling

Angelina Jolie

Sadako Ogata

Dan O'Neill

Loung Ung

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