Refugees: Real People, Real Needs

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) marks 20 June of every year as World Refugee Day. It is the day we remember and pay tribute to the more than 42 million people uprooted by conflict and persecution around the world living as refugees or displaced within their own countries, many of them for years on end. Most importantly, World Refugee Day is an opportunity to draw the attention of the world to the plight of refugees and other displaced persons and to renew commitment to solving their problems.

UNHCR chose ‘Real People, Real Needs’ as the theme of this year’s World Refugee Day because for tens of millions of uprooted people awaiting a solution, the reality is that a shortage of life’s most basic essentials; clean water, food, sanitation, shelter, healthcare provision and protection from violence and abuse, means that every day can be a struggle. Unfortunately, the sobering reality is that despite the efforts of many, including UNHCR, the needs of refugees’ worldwide are far from being met. Our goal is to ensure the needs of refugees are not forgotten or put to the bottom of the list of priorities. On June 20 we are also asking people to look beyond to see the people behind the needs. Refugees are not just faceless statistics; refugees are individuals with real needs, just like us. Every person forcibly uprooted from their homes by conflict, persecution and natural disasters has hopes, fears and dreams of their own and every one has their own human story to tell.

At the moment, Ethiopia hosts more than 98,000 refugees mainly in eight camps and the gaps in protection and assistance that they face are as disturbing as those identified in a pilot Global Needs Assessment UNHCR had conducted in eight countries in 2008. The events leading totherefore, underscore the need to see beyond the statistics and appreciate the real needs of refugees in Ethiopia.

All the eight refugee camps located in the Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, Somali and Tigray Regions, have started commemorating WRD 2009 with various activities and events that highlight the importance of the Day. The celebration will climax on 20 June.

Below are highlights of the major events taking place in Addis Ababa and at My-aini refugee camp between 18 June and 20 June.

-Film screening, essay competition-award ceremony, music & entertainment, inauguration of refugee products bazaar and speeches
-Refugee arts and crafts market on 20 June from 0900-1700hrs

-Film screening, choir by refugee children, photo exhibition and exhibition of refugee products and speeches

     3.  Joint UNHCR-ARRA commemoration at My-aini camp in Tigray on 20 June

-Drama and music shows by refugees, award ceremony, speeches and tour   of the camp by Ambassadors, the UNHCR Representative in Ethiopia, the Deputy Director of ARRA and other officials.

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World Refugee Day 2009 in Ethiopia [PDF]