“Like millions of refugees worldwide, they are helping to bring new life, prosperity and rich diversity to their host communities. We must continue to support them,” the UN chief said on Twitter after the visit.
Mr. Guterres, who served as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015, emphasized the important role developed countries play in accepting refugees and creating opportunities for them, whoever they are. and where do they come from.
Living ‘in limbo’
Guterres’ first stop was in Brooklyn, where he visited Suzan Al Shammari, an Iraqi refugee who in 2010 fled with his family from Baghdad to Cairo, Egypt.
Registered with the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCRthey were then able to resettle in California and from there, with extra support, they made it to New York.
Ms. Al Shammari told the Secretary-General that having grown up during the war, she wanted to be able to support other refugees. With that spirit, she is currently a staff member of a non-governmental organization (NGO) – just graduated with a master’s degree from university.
“Every day you think it will be the last. And it’s not just one of those things… it could actually be your last. When I went to Egypt with my family, it was also very difficult for me to be there as a refugee in limbo. So moving to the US was a big stroke of luck, it took me a few years to adjust to ‘I’m not going to die tomorrow,'” Al Shammari said.
Second chance
Al Shammari said the relocation offers a “second chance” to those forced to flee.
“Sending refugees is a life-saving measure and it is something that every leader, every country, should contribute to and take responsibility for,” she said.
Given the chance to have a good education, a safe new home and speak the language of her host country, the Iraqi refugee admits she is “one of the lucky ones”.
“I can speak from my personal experience… It’s not easy to go to a country you don’t know, a language you don’t speak. Both my parents are engineers in Iraq and [now] they cannot work with their degree,” explained Ms. Al Shammari.
It helps, she believes, “if businesses are more proactive, hiring refugees and creating more opportunities for immigrants.”
Every day you think it will be your last – Iraqi refugees resettled
“You see, some people will hear their accent, hear them speak bad English and say, ‘I don’t think this is going to work’.”
Located in Iraq
According to the latest United Nations data, there are currently around 1.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Iraq out of more than six million initially displaced by violence linked to the ISIL terrorist network from 2014 to 2017.
Meanwhile, Iraq has taken in more than 290,000 refugees from Syria and other countries – mainly in the Kurdistan region which, in early 2020, is home to 25 of the country’s 26 camps.
Settlement in the US
Mr. Guterres then traveled to Queens to visit an Afghan refugee couple, Shafi Alif and Rohina Sofizada, who welcomed him with spiced green tea and traditional Afghan dishes.
Chatting over their cups, Mr. Alif revealed that in 1992 when he was 5 months old, his family walked for 40 days to seek asylum in Pakistan – where they had been for more than 10 years.
They registered with UNHCR, which later helped them voluntarily return to Afghanistan in 2002. The United Nations agency provided financial support when they settled back in Kabul, including travel expenses and cash.
The couple agreed that they would have “peaceful years” in the country until 2018.
Working with the US Embassy in Kabul, Ms. Sofizada received a special visa to resettle in the US and Mr. Alif, who had worked with the Polish Army in the Afghan capital, joined her afterwards. , with a special immigrant visa.
UN photo / Ekinder Debebe
To celebrate World Refugee Day, Secretary-General António Guterres visited an Afghan refugee couple resettled in Queens.
The family of the person who stayed
Although happy to be able to come to the US, they worry about their families in Pakistan, who have left Kabul again after the Taliban took over last August.
“My family was rejected at the border twice, even all of them [the necessary] visas and documents,” said Mrs. Sofizada. “We are very secure here, but we are still worried about our loved ones.”
Mr. Shafi is also working to help newcomers as a caseworker for the NGO, where he assists in-coming evacuees and parolees.
He argues that no refugee is “happy to leave their country,” but does so when threatened with violence or persecution.
He advocates for “more places to resettle” and help with basic needs – like housing – to better contribute to their new community.
We are still worried for our loved ones – Afghan refugees resettled
Afghans are fighting
According to UNHCR, Afghans are one of the largest refugee populations globally.
There are 2.6 million registered Afghan refugees around the world, of which 2.2 million are registered in Iran and Pakistan alone. And another 3.5 million are internally displaced.
More than half of Afghanistan’s population, or 24 million people, faces severe food insecurity and 97% is estimated to be living well below the poverty line.
Calling for border opening
After hearing these compelling stories, Mr. Guterres urged developed countries to do more.
He reminded them of their role in welcoming and giving refugees a chance to start over safely, away from run-down camps or squalid housing conditions.
The Secretary-General recalled that when he headed the UNHCR, there were twice as many opportunities to resettle refugees and called for more countries to open their borders to asylum seekers.
Run away for safety
In 2021, 86% of all resettlement cases filed by UNHCR are for survivors of torture or violence and for those in need of physical and legal protection.
Most are vulnerable women and girls and just over half involve children.
According to the UN, the world reached a major milestone in May, 10 weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine.
“Together with women, children and men fleeing conflict in other parts of the world, The total number of people forced to relocate has reached 100 millions – a grim indictment of our times”, said the head of the United Nations in his message to celebrate World Refugee Day.
“The global refugee population is at a record high,” he continued, noting that the Ukraine war has caused “the largest and fastest exodus in Europe since World War II.”
Andrii Krepkykh
A Ukrainian woman was forced to flee overnight to find work online.
Right to be safe
The top UN official urged people to reflect on the “courage and resilience of those fleeing war, violence and persecution” and recognize the “compassion of those who welcome surname”.
He asserts that the day affirms a fundamental tenet of our common humanity: “Everyone has the right to seek security – whoever they are, where they come from and whenever they are forced to. escape”.
According to international law, The right to seek asylum is a basic human right.
“Those who have escaped violence or abuse must be able to cross the border safely… not face discrimination… be unjustly denied asylum or refugee status because of race their race, religion, gender or country of origin…[or] The head of the United Nations emphasized.
Those who have escaped violence or persecution must be able to cross the border safely – UN chief
“And like every human being, they need to be treated with respect.”
Share responsibility
But safety is only the first step. When resettled, refugees must be given the opportunity to heal, learn, work, thrive, return home if they choose, or rebuild their lives elsewhere, in safety. integrity and dignity, Mr. Guterres said.
“Across the world, refugees have brought new life, prosperity and rich cultural diversity to their host communities” and protecting them is “a responsibility we all have to bear.” We share.”
He encouraged people to commit to doing more for both refugees and their host countries.
“Let’s unite together…protect the integrity of the international protection regime..and let us never lose sight of our common humanity.‘ concluded the Secretary-General.
