UN Refugee Agency in Ireland launch “do 1 thing” campaign
10 October 2011
Today, on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Fridtjof Nansen, the first High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Office in Ireland is launching a campaign to encourage individuals to do one thing to show their support for refugees, asylum seekers and those in need of international protection here in Ireland and around the world.
Sophie Magennis, Head of Office, UNHCR Ireland said, "Sadly, the causes of forced displacement have not gone away since the adoption, 60 years ago, of the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees which was set up in the aftermath of World War II. From the beginning of 2011 the world has borne witness to many new and tragic displacement and refugee crises such as those seen in Libya and Côte d’Ivoire and the ongoing displacement of hundreds of thousands of people from famine stricken Somalia. As new conflicts flare old ones are left unresolved. With few options these uprooted people can often resort to desperate means for escape, even if it means risking their lives."
"The sheer enormity of these situations can sometimes seem overwhelming," Ms. Magennis said. "However, UNHCR believes that every single person can make a difference and significant impact can be felt when people show humanity to others who are in need. The support that communities across Ireland have shown and continue to show to individual refugees trying to re-build their lives with incredible courage, dignity and determination is a testament to that."
Ms. Magennis acknowledged that "People are often overwhelmed by their own daily struggles and challenges and never more so than in these straightened times." "However," she continued "in difficult economic times one thing everyone can do which doesn’t cost a single cent is to show interest in others. By doing one simple thing, such as learning a fact about refugees, cooking a dish from a country where many refugees come from, watching a movie or reading a book about refugees people can help humanise an issue that is too often reduced to numbers. On this anniversary date we are asking individuals to reflect on the solidarity expressed 60 years ago at the adoption of the 1951 Convention, and to do one thing to show their support for those fleeing danger and persecution. Because even one refugee without hope, is one too many."
More information on the do 1 thing campaign can be found at www.unhcr.ie/do1thing
