“Large movements of people will continue or possibly increase as a result of violent conflict, poverty, inequality, climate change, disasters and environmental degradation… Lifesaving assistance has been provided, but there has been an inability to plan for the eventuality of longer-term displacement or to sufficiently support host communities. If one lesson can be drawn from the past few years, it is that individual countries cannot solve these issues on their own”.
In safety and dignity: addressing large movements of refugees and migrants
As today marks World Refugee Day, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continues its campaign in support of Refugees around the world. #WithRefugees campaign aims to involve as many people worldwide to join and sign the petition which asks decision makers to:
- Ensure every refugee child gets an education
- Ensure every refugee family has a safe place to live
- Ensure every refugee can work or learn new skills to support their families
The campaign will continue until a global compact for refugees is adopted in 2018.
The freedom of being educated, being employed, having a place to call home, and to be safe and free should not be taken for granted.
Every year, thousands of people flee from their homes – a place they seek refuge in, where they have developed more than just emotional attachment.
Video:UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
For a small developing country, PNG has become a multicultural land of diverse tribes and nationalities; being a host community to refugees, such as the West Papuans – who make up more than about 10, 000; some who fled and have been living in PNG for almost 30 years.
An admirable step was taken recently for PNG giving citizenship to 138 West Papuan Refugees. Acting Chief Migration Officer, Solomon Kantha, commended the new citizens for their contribution to nation building.
