When was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you?" – Matthew 25:38

World Refugee Day - June 20, is a day to lift up refugees displaced by war, civil unrest and persecution, all of which tear away at the fabric of human community.

Of the eleven million refugees in the world today, seven million have been "warehoused," in camps or segregated settlements for 10 years or longer. In camps, refugees live in crowded conditions in some of the most remote and inhospitable living conditions. Refugees are not allowed to grow their own food. Nor are they allowed to earn an income for their labor. They survive on meager food rations and water that is trucked in or wells which are dug for them. Waiting in line for water is a major activity of the day. Tents and temporary structures become permanent homes. Safety is not assured. Refugee camps are not safe places to raise a family and yet many children are born there. While refugees wait for the opportunity to return home, locally integrate or be resettled, they stagnate, become dependent, lack stimulation, lose motivation and even hope resulting in a tremendous waste of human potential.

There are several ways you can help refugees

1. Bring attention to the issue of refugees. Find a day to lift up refugees at your church. Worship resources are available at:
        Church World Service
        United Church of Christ
        Disciples
   Refugee Facts
   • 11.5 million: Number of refugees & asylum seekers worldwide
   • 7 million: Refugees who've spent 10+ years in camps
   • 21.3 million: People forcibly displaced in their own countries
   • 58,813: Refugees resettled in the U.S. in Fiscal Year 2005
   • Middle East: Region with the largest number of refugees
2. Welcome refugees through the refugee resettlement program. Both the UCC and Disciples of Christ work in cooperation with Church World Service. They provide direct orientation for congregations interested in welcoming a refugee to your community.
        United Church of Christ
        Disciples
3. Provide support to refugees around the world by giving generously to the One Great Hour of Sharing and Week of Compassion offerings. You can give through your local church or online.
4. Advocate for fair refugee and immigration legislation. Consider the letter sent to President Bush by the Global Ministries board on April 19, 2006, in support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform, found on the Refugee Ministries and Global Ministries web-sites.
        Global Ministries statement regarding immigration issues

Links
  World Refugee Day - UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
  Church World Service
Church World Service and its member denominations, including the UCC and Disciples of Christ, provide help and homes to refugees, and work to build a hospitable community in the United States for uprooted people. Each year, CWS resettles about 8,000 refugees and entrants in the United States, with congregations and affiliate agencies providing services locally. UCC Refugee Ministries helped resettle 711 refugees in 2005. In refugee camps in Africa and Asia, CWS provides health care and post primary education through its Durable Solutions for Displaced People program. You can help welcome refugees and be a part of the solution overseas providing support for refugee programs abroad.

News About Refugees

Update on the Philippines at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees April 16, 2008 4.6 million Iraqis still longing for a durable solution, Church World Service says December 14, 2007 International Day of Solidarity with Palestinians: WCC emphasizes international community failure December 6, 2007 Iraqi refugees share their stories November 20, 2007 Mission in the Midst of War: Myanmar and Afghanistan October 24, 2007 Prayers of support and concern for the people of Myanmar (Burma) October 24, 2007 Mission in Myanmar (Burma): Very Challenging, but not Impossible July 14, 2006 Global Ministries statement regarding immigration issues May 31, 2006

Missionary Stories About Refugees

Visiting the Displaced in Colombia [Colombia] July 14, 2008 Reflections on Immigration [Honduras] June 24, 2008 Serving Migrants and Refugees [Turkey] April 25, 2008 Welcoming the Foreigner [South Africa, Zimbabwe] March 31, 2008 Righteousness [Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, Zimbabwe] March 29, 2008 A Human Tsunami [Botswana, Zimbabwe] August 9, 2007 Dancing Away the Tears [Honduras] November 27, 2006 All Saint's Day [Indonesia, Timor Lorosa] November 11, 2006 Evacuation from Beirut [Lebanon] August 4, 2006