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Let Us Show Love and Compassion on World Refugee Day

June 19, 2017 by Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

First celebrated in 2001, World Refugee Day is held annually on June 20​. The day marks a worldwide effort to raise awareness of the plight of refugees and recognize the contributions​ of forcibly displaced people. The annual commemoration is designated​ to honor​ “the strength, courage and resilience of refugees.”  It​ is marked by events in more than 100 countries; in Raleigh it will include​ the screening of a documentary about Kenyan refugees, to be held at​ the Cameron Village Library at 6 p.m., sponsored by the U.S. Committee for Refugees ​and Immigrants.

Many people are not aware of World Refugee Day, but this year it is more important than ever. This is not merely because the global refugee crisis continues to displace millions of people around the world but also because our policy makers are demonstrating​ hostility rather than hospitality to those who have lost their homes to conflict, natural disasters, famine, and disease. At both the state and federal level, we have seen bills that would deny protection to refugees, decimate the U.S. refugee resettlement system, and inflict harm on children fleeing violence and persecution.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church noted in his World Refugee Day message that the members of the Holy Family were refugees fleeing a harsh and violent regime in Palestine to find safety in Egypt. We must recognize that refugees are the product of war, oppression, famine, and​ violence. And for that reason, our faith calls us to give our help, our protection, our love. In the words of Bishop Curry, “In the name of Mary, Joseph and the Lord Jesus, aid all refugees today, for most of the refugees, like the Holy Family themselves, are families, and most are children.” ​

I hope that you will celebrate World Refugee Day by learning more about the refugee crisis and ways that you can help — through prayer, donation of funds, volunteering, exploring resources. and other means to offer support to refugees. ​

Filed Under: Blog, Homepage Featured Tagged With: Human Rights, Immigration, Interfaith, N.C. General Assembly, Peace, Refugees, Religion & Society

About Jennie Belle, Former Immigration and Farmworkers Director

Jennie was born and raised in Savannah, GA. She moved to Texas for her undergraduate education at Rice University, during which time she studied in Mexico, Peru and Argentina and participated in service projects in Central America. After graduation she moved to Spain for a year to teach English. Jennie then came to North Carolina for a dual degree MDiv/MSW graduate program at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill where her work focused on advocating for farmworkers and organizing churches for social justice. Recently graduated, Jennie is excited to use these skills in her role at the Council of Churches as she works to help improve conditions for immigrants and farmworkers in the state.

Jennie lives in Durham and attends First Presbyterian Church. In her free time she enjoys dancing, distance running, traveling, walking her dog, and planning her upcoming wedding. Jennie can be reached at: jennie@ncchurches.org.

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Comments

  1. sabrina says

    June 20, 2017 at 7:02 pm

    WOW thanks for your article.As the world reflects on the global refugee crisis on World Refugee Day, there must be praise where it is due but also an increased focus on better cooperation globally.For more information, visit http://www.amirofhumanity.com

    Reply

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