The recent 1 million dollar donation from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation to the UN Refugee Agency has brought awareness to this horrifying tragedy happening all around the globe. The crisis of protecting, the currently 42 million refugees worldwide, is as necessary today as it was 59 years ago. That is when the United Nations created the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or UNHCR. Today their mission is stronger than ever, but they continue to need your help.
Angelina Jolie, is the Goodwill Ambassador for the agency and is committed to bringing the crisis into the spotlight. She spoke Thursday at the launch for World Refugee Day event in Washington DC, and said that America itself is a country born of economic migrants and those seeking asylum, she went on to say, ”I believe we must persuade the world that refugees must not be simply viewed as a burden. They are the survivors. And they can bring those qualities to the service of their communities and the countries that shelter them.”
For nearly 6 decades, the UNHCR has helped refugees seek asylum and resume their shattered lives. The agency employs around 6,650 people in 110 countries and helps 42 million people through the heartbreaking transition to a safe place.
Refugees are essentially defenseless, which leaves them susceptible to terrifying situations, especially for the women and children; the basic needs of shelter, food and clean water are unattainable while they are driven from their homes due to violent conflicts or persecution. UNHCR provides basic needs for the tens of millions of refugees suffering around the world. The UNHCR works very hard to keep those basic needs met, along with the not so basic needs that all humans require; protection, education, compassion, and most of all hope.
For more videos from UNHCR and its refugees, click here.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly, to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees.
- Website: UNHCR.org
- Founder(s): United Nations
- Founded: 1950
- Location:Geneva, Switzerland
Source: UNHCR.org
Contributor Profile: Justine
Justine is passionate about curing social injustice and global environmental issues. She has traveled extensively in Central America and the Caribbean, and is especially interested in the emergence of the Ecotourism industry.
Twitter: @justine72
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