World Refugee Day 2017: Millions on the Move
Every minute 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror.
Mediterranean Rescue Mission: Image courtesy of MSF.
Today, June 20th, is World Refugee Day. According to the United Nation (UN), World Refugee Day commemorates ‘the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees’. The UN website emphasises the importance of highlighting the plight of refugees as ‘every minute 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror.’
According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), there are fifteen active ‘situations’ across the Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The UNHCR reports over 400,000 have fled the political unrest in Burundi since April 2015. Almost two thirds of these people (240,000) are now refugees in Tanzania.
Graphic illustrating the high proportion of Burundian refugees who have arrived in neighbouring Tanzania. Image courtesy of www.unhcr.com.
The UNHCR statistics for June 2017, show the number of Internally Displaced People (IDP) in Nigeria currently stands at 1.8 million men, women and children. Many of these people are currently in Nigerian controlled areas of the Lake Chad Basin while smaller numbers are in areas of the basin which fall under the jurisdiction of Niger, Cameroon and Chad. The main reasons for the mass exodus has been attributed to the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency. Climate change is also reported to be exacerbating the refugee crisis with Lake Chad shrinking in size due in part to a lack of rainfall.
In Europe, the UNHCR reports that 77,000 refugees have arrived in Europe so far this year, 2,000 people perished while attempting to make the crossing. The majority of these refugees arrived into Italy from the Libyan coastline which is considered the most treacherous route. Libya is currently experiencing a breakdown in rule of law.
The total number who crossed the Mediterranean Sea in 2016 was 362,000. The reduction in numbers crossing has been attributed to the deal reached last year between Turkey and the European Union. It has lead to a dramatic reduction in the numbers of refugees arriving in Greece from Turkey.
This morning, the Irish Refugee and Migration Coalition observed that in September 2015 the Irish government promised to accept 4,000 refugees by the end of 2017. It reports that less than a third of this number have so far arrived in Ireland.
The Irish Naval Service has rescued more than 16,000 people since deploying it's first naval vessel to the Mediterranean Sea in early Spring 2015. The LÉ Eithne with 72 crew on board is currently assisting in the region and, last weekend alone, they rescued more than 700 people from makeshift boats off the coast of Libya.
Irish naval vessel the LÉ Eithne during a rescue mission on June 16th 2017 in the Mediterranean Sea. Image courtesy of the Irish Defence Forces Twitter account.
Sr. Sheila Curran RSM, is the Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Coordinator for the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI). Last month she gave a presentation on the ‘Christian Response to Forced Displacement’ and reminded those present of Pope Francis’ words:
"We have a duty toward our brothers and sisters who, for various reasons, have been forced to leave their homeland: a duty of justice, of civility and of solidarity."
Sr. Sheila also reflected on how our ancestors shared similar experiences during the famine times. She quoted figures from www.wesley Johnston.com which show that 1.5 million people left for good via the ‘Coffin Ships’ between the years of 1845 ad 1855.
Sr. Sheila also made reference to the 1984 State Papers which detailed the ‘unprecedented numbers’ of refugees that crossed from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Many went to army refugee centres as far south as Kilkenny, Tralee and Waterford.
A scene from Mosney in 2014 which serves as a accommodation centre for Asylum Seekers. Image appeared in The Irish Times and is courtesy of Frank Miller.
The Irish Times reports that 4,300 men, women and children are currently in Direct Provision across the Republic of Ireland.
The Irish Refugee Council points out that little has changed since Direct Provision was introduced in the year 2000. All those in Direct Provision hostels receive full board accommodation, medical cards and the children may attend primary and secondary school. An adult in Direct Provision is entitled to €19.10 per week with no entitlement to Social Welfare payments. However, adults are unable to work or attend full-time education.
Reaching out to refugees and migrants is an important part of the OLA Sisters mission in Ireland. OLA Sisters offer assistance through English language classes and other community support initiatives.
Links:
OLA Sister provides an insight into the life of migrants living in Ireland
Click here read Sr. Sheila Curran's full presentation on the Christian Response to Forced Migration
UNHCR reports on the 15 active humanitarian 'situations' across the world
One Meal a Day: The Lake Chad Crisis
Responding to a Multicultural City: Sr. Joan Murray on the work of the Lantern Centre
