Giving hope to the world's refugees

To the people of Sri Lanka, the word 'refugees' is not unfamiliar. The two-decade- old war has led to thousands of people becoming destitute and ending up in refugee camps.

Sri Lankan refugees eke out a living not only in Sri Lanka, but in other countries too, e.g. neighbouring India. However, the war hasn't been the only reason for the making of refugees. Even natural disasters like the 2004 tsunami have destroyed houses and property, making a countless number of people refugees.

There are currently reported to be over 19 million refugees in various parts of the world. But who exactly is a refugee? A dictionary defines one as "a person who has left home and seeks refuge (e.g. from war or persecution) elsewhere".

They sometimes escape harsh regimes only with the clothes on their backs. Refugees are human beings just like you and I. They are entitled to all the rights that we as human beings are entitled to. But in most instances, they don't have access to even the basic rights that we enjoy.

So, it's only right that we remember this section of our society at least once a year. June 20, World Refugee Day, is the ideal time to do so. The Day is commemorated for the sixth time this year, and the inspirational theme will be 'HOPE'. 'Keeping the Flame of Hope Alive' will be the focus of the activities spearheaded by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). It will focus on those fleeing from oppression and persecution to refuge and protection, to a place they can call home.

Refugees show incredible strength, courage and determination in their long and dangerous journey, and are guided all the way by nothing but hope.

They defy all the odds stacked against them, with the hope of rebuilding and restarting their once peaceful lives, which have been shattered to pieces due to reasons beyond their control.

The Day is marked around the world with different activities. Schools also organise activities such as awareness campaigns and art and essay competitions and fund-raising events.

The United Nations General Assembly resolution, designating June 20 as World Refugee Day, was adopted in 2000. Before that, many countries and regions had their own days and even weeks to remember their refugees. The most widespread were the commemorations in Africa, observed on June 20. So, this date was adopted to express solidarity with the African region, which has the most refugees.

The Office of the UNHCR was established by the UN General Assembly on December 14, 1950 to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve their problems worldwide.

The primary purpose of this organisation is to safeguard the rights and the well-being of refugees, to ensure that everyone can experience the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, with the option of coming home voluntarily, integrating (mingling) locally or resettling in a third country.