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ADRA  STATEMENT  ON WORLD  REFUGEE  DAY

Between 2010 and 2015 alone, ADRA has assisted around 5 million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

ADRA STATEMENT ON WORLD REFUGEE DAY

Bern, Switzerland.ADRA Communication, J. Duffy, CD-EUDNews.

This  World  Refugee  Day,  there  are  more  than  60 million  people around  the world  who  are  internally  displaced,  seeking  asylum,  or  living  as  refugees in other countries.  The  United  Nations  has  described  the  Syrian crisis,  which has displaced  approximately  half of  the country’s  population,  as  the  biggest humanitarian  emergency  of  our  era.  As  an  international  humanitarian organization,  ADRA  has  a  long  history  of  helping  people  displaced  by conflict  and  persecution.

Between  2010  and  2015 alone,  ADRA  has  assisted  around  5  million refugees  and  internally  displaced  persons (IDPs).  We  are  currently  assisting refugees,  asylum  seekers,  IDPs, and  returnees  in  Asia,  Africa,  the  Middle East, and  the  Americas.  ADRA’s  response  to  the  Syrian  crisis  involves  responding  to  the  needs  of  IDPs  within  Syria,  and  working  with  refugees and  asylum  seekers  in  Lebanon,  Greece,  and  other  parts  of  Europe.  

In  the  face  of  this  unprecedented  humanitarian crisis,  ADRA  is  marking World  Refugee  Day  with  a  call  to action. We  call  on  the INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY  to  find  a  timely,  humane  solution  to  resettling  the refugees stranded  in  Greece  and  other  parts  of  the  world.  We  also  call  on  the international  community  to  address  the circumstances  that  cause  people  to  become  refugees.  We  call  on  the  international  community  to  helpthe  Syrian Government find  a  peaceful  resolution  to the  Syrian  conflict,  and  address  the conflicts  and  human  rights concerns  in  other  countries  which  cause  people to  flee.

We  call  on  POLITICIANS  to  stand  firm  on  their  beliefs,  and  not  be  swayed  by  populism. What  is  right  and what  is  wrong  never  changes.  Human  dignity  and  human  rights  are  always  the  same  regardless  of  changing circumstances  and  commerce.  

We  call  on  the MEDIA  to report  responsibly  on  the  refugee  crisis  and related  events.  
We  call  on  them  to  present  a  balanced,  fair picture  of  events,  and  not  to stoke  people’s  fears  and  prejudices.

We  call  on  CHURCHES to  talk  to  your  congregations  about  what  the Christian  response should  be to  these events  and how to  follow  Jesus’  example,  even  in  difficult  times.  

Adventist  churches  in  Europe have  partnered  with  ADRA  on  projects  to support  refugees  in  their  community. We  challenge  churches  to  consider whether  they  have  a  role to play in  reaching  out  to  the  millions  of displaced people  around  the  world  and  in  our  own  communities.

We  call  on  INDIVIDUALS  to  not  be  guided  by  selfishness,  fear  and prejudice.  We  urge  a  response  to  this crisis  driven  by  intelligence, compassion  and  a  recognition  of  our  shared  humanity  and human  rights.  

We  believe  that  every  person  has  the  power  to  have  a  positive  impact  on the  world  around  them,  and  that there  is  something  everyone  can  do  to help  refugees,  even  if  it  is  just  saying  a  prayer  for  them  or  educating yourself  about  the  situation.  

To  find  out  more  about  ADRA’s  work  with  refugees,  and  to  read  the  stories of  some  of  the  refugees  we’ve met,  visit  ADRA.org/refugees.  To  learn  more  about  what you  can do  to help  refugees,  sign  our  pledge.  For downloadable  resources  your church  can  use  to  devote  a  service to refugees,  visit www.adventist.org/en/information/special-days/refugees/

About  ADRA
The  Adventist  Development  and  Relief  Agency  International  is  the humanitarian  arm  of  the  Seventh-day Adventist  Church.  Its  work  empowers communities  and  changes  lives  around  the  globe  by  providing sustainable community  development  and  disaster  relief.  For  more  information,  visit  ADRA.org