Today the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) commemorates the eighth annual World Refugee Day. This year's events focus on four major refugee situations: Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur and Myanmar. According to a survey released by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, a half million Iraqis fled their country in 2007 (Associated Press).Support Iraqi Refugees on World Refugee Day
AFSC joins the global community in calling for a humane and united response to the dire situations in these countries and in other regional pockets of the world. Join AFSC in bringing attention to the approximately 5 million Iraqis who fled the violence spurred on by war and occupation.
Please write a letter to the editors of your local newspapers drawing attention to this crisis. Below is a sample letter with tips and links on how to send that letter to the editor of your local paper.> Is Your Newspaper Covering the Iraqi Refugee Crisis?
> Write a Letter to the Editor
To Learn More
> Volunteer to Help Refugees
> More About AFSC's Work with Iraqi Refugees
> AFSC's Living Beyond Borders Blog
World Refugee Day Events
To find a World Refugee Day event near you visit one of the following the links:
- Philadelphia (Nationalities Service Center/AFSC)
- San Francisco (UNHCR).
- Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlottesville, Oakland, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and Tucson (International Rescue Committee).
- Minneapolis (Twin Cities World Refugee Day).
(Photo Credit: AFSC - Iraqi family)