UNHCR Commemorates World Refugee Day on 20 June 2019
Juba, South Sudan.
South Sudanese refugees gather at a UNHCR collection centre on the South Sudan border in Egelo, Uganda. (Photo credit: UNHCR /Will Swanson)
June 19, 2019(SSNN) – The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR will be hosting a ceremony on 20 June to commemorate World Refugee Day in the capital of South Sudan, Juba, together with refugees, government officials, donors, partners, and South Sudanese public.
According to Richard Ruati, UNHCR’s Assistant External Relation for South Sudan Program, the celebration will take place at UNHCR Compound, adjacent to the New Sudan Council of Church, starting from 9:45am upto 1:30pm.
Senior government officials will include Hon. Hussein Mar Nyuot, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Lt. Gen. Bol John Akot, South Sudan’s Commissioner for Refugee Affairs.
“Representatives of embassies and international organisations in South Sudan and Miss South Sudan (2018/2019), Florence Thompson will also join together with refugees.” Ruati said.
Sudanese refugee Musician, Mr. Abbas El-Sherif, Acholi traditional dancers and Afro-Beat (Congolese Band) will be featured during the celebration.
“There will be a refugee fashion show and a trade fair for refugee made handicrafts, honey, and clothes.” Ruati acknowledges in his statement to Nyamilepedia.
“Journalists are cordially invited to the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, journalists are welcome to interview UNHCR Representative Mr. Johann Siffointe, Honourable Minister, the Commissioner and Miss South Sudan.” He added.
According to the UNHCR records, the number of people fleeing war, persecution and conflict exceeded 70 million in 2018.
“This is the highest level that UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency has seen in its almost 70 years. To put this in perspective, this is double the level of 20 years ago, 2.3 million more than a year ago, and corresponds to a population between that of Thailand and Turkey.” Part of the report reads.
In South Sudan, there are almost 300,000 refugees seeking an asylum in the country, mostly from Sudan’s South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
“In 2019, we are turning solidarity into action – calling on everyone to take a step with refugees. Taking a step can literally mean walking, running, dancing, cycling, skateboarding or moving for refugees.” Ruati explains.
“And our call to action for the public drive support to the 1 Billion Miles/2 Billion Kilometres. Taking a step can also mean taking positive steps, any step, to welcoming and including refugees, IDPs, and stateless people into our communities.” He emphasizes.
About World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day (WRD) is a special day when the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) raises awareness of the plight of forcibly displaced people throughout the world – refugees, internally displaced people, statelessness people, and returnees – and recognise their resilience. The WRD was established in 2001 by the UN General Assembly to mark the date on which OAU Africa Refugee Convention entered into force.
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