June 20th is World Refugee Day
Today we celebrate World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. In an effort to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives, we offer some helpful information for you and an invitation for you.
Did you know…
– there are about 79.5 million forcibly displaced people worldwide
– about 30 million people in desperate need for a durable solution
– many of these people are single women with children or families with young children
– Refugees often have insecurity with their most basic needs: access to shelter, food, education for their children, employment, and medical care
Did you know….
– that Canada welcomes the largest number of refugees globally
– that Canada was the first country in the world to offer a Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. We have shared out model with many other countries and a number of countries have developed a program based on our model.
– that faith-based organizations are the primary sponsors of refugees in Canada.
– that the CBAC, in partnerships with churches all across Atlantic Canada have sponsored over 1,000 refugees since 2015. This is amazing!
As we pray for refugees around the world, we’d like to extend an invitation for you to actively participate in supporting refugees locally and globally.
– VACCINES – CBM has partnered with UNICEF in the Love My Neighbour Project. Consider making a donation to make a vaccine available to a global neighbour.
– SPONSOR – there are hundreds of people in Atlantic Canada who are looking for a church that will partner with them to be able to sponsor their friends/family. Consider whether your church would be willing to partner with people in your community to help sponsor a refugee. This may not have any financial implications or require much time from your members. It’s an easy way to have a significant impact as you join God in your neighbourhood.
– SPONSOR – if your church would like to sponsor an individual or a family and you don’t know how to start or who to sponsor, we’d love to connect with you.
– PRAY – the global pandemic has had significant impact on the world’s most vulnerable people. The effects are seeing record number of people unable to provide food, shelter and medicine for their family. Relief agencies and host countries are not able to meet the demand in many countries. Pray for refugees each today as prepare to eat a meal or as you prepare to settle into your home for the evening. Pray for God’s provision and protection over them.
We are deeply thankful for all of the individuals and churches who have or continue to be involved in supporting refugees. If you’d like more information about the global refugee crisis or how you can respond, please feel free to contact please contact Jacqueline Derrah.