UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced a new global campaign calling on people all over the world to cover the distance traveled by refugees each year.
The 2 Billion Kilometres to Safety campaign will encourage people to support refugees by championing individual acts of solidarity. These acts, when taken together, acknowledge the resilience and strength of refugees.
UNHCR traced the journeys of refugees around the world and calculated that collectively, people forced to flee travel over one billion miles every year to reach the first point of safety. In 2016, Syrian refugees traveled more than 240 kilometers to reach Turkey. South Sudanese refugees traveled more than 640 kilometres to reach Kenya and Rohingya refugees in Myanmar traveled approximately 80 kilometres to reach Bangladesh.
The 2 Billion Kilometres to Safety campaign invites people to act in solidarity and run, walk or cycle to achieve a cumulative total of one billion miles. Participants can use their fitness apps or the campaign website – www.stepwithrefugees.org – to log the miles and contribute to a global total.
“Every day, we are inspired by the acts of kindness from people who are doing their very best to improve life for refugees: the activists, the communities hosting refugees, businesses, donors, volunteers. This campaign will encourage people to support refugees through something they are already doing – walking, cycling, running,” said UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly T. Clements. “At a time when we are facing so many misconceptions about refugees, it is vital that we remind ourselves of the real and dangerous journeys they are forced to take.”
In 2019, people in 27 countries across Africa, Asia, Central and North America, Europe, and the Middle East will take part in the campaign, including individuals, celebrity supporters, refugees and UNHCR personnel. UNHCR hopes to raise over US$ 15 million to support refugees with registration and reception services, food and water, shelter, basic aid, healthcare, and psychological support.
Original source: UNHCR
Published on 08 January 2019
