The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has initiated a worldwide campaign urging individuals globally to acknowledge and mirror the vast distance that refugees cover annually in their pursuit of safety. The international organization meticulously monitored the journeys of displaced persons across the globe, unveiling a collective figure of approximately two billion kilometres covered each year by refugees to reach their first point of safety.
Highlighting Refugee Journeys
In their findings, UNHCR noted that Syrian refugees travelled over 240 kilometres to reach Turkey in 2016. Comparatively, refugees from South Sudan journeyed more than 640 kilometres to arrive safely in Kenya. Rohingya refugees escaping from Myanmar traversed around 80 kilometres to cross into Bangladesh.
The 2 Billion Kilometres to Safety Campaign
Dubbed the “2 Billion Kilometres to Safety” movement, this initiative seeks to foster a sense of unity and awareness among the global population. It encourages people to walk, run or cycle in an attempt to collectively cover a total of two billion kilometres. In addition, the campaign aims to inspire actions of solidarity that support and acknowledge the resilience and fortitude demonstrated by refugees.
Understanding Refugees
Refugees essentially represent individuals coerced into fleeing their home country due to the threat of war or persecution. Strikingly, only a mere 1% of these displaced populations manage to resettle in third countries. Primarily, the majority of refugees seek refuge in their neighbouring countries. At present, Turkey houses the largest number of refugees, followed by Pakistan, Uganda and Lebanon. Interestingly, less than a third of refugees live in designated refugee camps around the world.
About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), also recognized as the UN Refugee Agency, is a prominent global organization devoted to preserving lives, upholding the rights and enhancing the future prospects of refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless individuals. Conceived in 1950 with the primary mission of assisting millions of Europeans that had been displaced or rendered homeless, it currently has its headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland.
Final Thoughts
The “2 Billion Kilometres to Safety” campaign presents a unique opportunity for individuals around the world to engage in an act of solidarity, mirroring the strenuous journeys of refugees. By lending support to this initiative, each person contributes towards sending a powerful message of unity, recognition and respect for the resilience and endurance exhibited by refugees worldwide.
