Refugee Week

June 15, 2021

It’s Refugee Week this week.

It seems odd that we have days/weeks/months dedicated to particular causes or situations.

After all, for those living with whatever the specific event is remembering it is probably a year long experience.

During June we also remember that it is Pride Month, and as I heard someone say yesterday, he is gay every day not just in June.

The same is true for refugees, the day and month is incidental for them. The situation they face every day remains a challenge.

They find themselves outside their home country for whatever reason, that hasn’t changed because of this week; they feel unsafe in their current situation – that doesn’t change this week, they have lost their previous employment – that doesn’t change because of the week.

So what is the point? These days and weeks are always for us, the observer. We need to remind ourselves that around the world for reasons of politics, war, faith and sexuality, people have had to up sticks and leave everything they know. We need to be informed, we need to challenge decisions made that can make a difference. We need to consider effects of cuts to Aid Budgets, we need to welcome those arriving here and be prepared to challenge Policies that will reduce our commitment to help those in need arriving here.

(In bizarre news – turns out today is Magna Carta Day as celebrated in Runnymede!)

Adele