HE Special Envoy of the Arab League Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Sheikha Hessa bint Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani called on governments, international organizations and individuals to invest in education, health care and decent living opportunities for refugees around the world; noting that the world is currently witnessing the highest levels of homelessness in history, where nearly 100 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to conflict, persecution and violence.
In a speech on the occasion of the World Refugee Day, Her Excellency stressed the need to provide means to rebuild the lives of refugees around the world, support the communities hosting the refugees, and work to destroy the barriers that prevent their integration into those societies, giving them the opportunity to shine and achieve their full potential.
The displaced individuals often carry unimaginable traumatic burdens and seek comfort and safety in foreign countries. It is the duty of us, as empathetic and understanding human beings, to reach out and provide them with the support and resources they need to rebuild their lives and restore their dignity, Her Excellency noted.
She emphasized the necessity of embracing empathy with refugees through concrete actions, noting that sympathy has the ability to transcend borders and bring about change.
Her Excellency said that the World Refugee Day is an opportunity to unite as a global community and honor the steadfastness, courage and strength of millions of people who were forced to flee their homes in search of safety and a better future. “We unite this year under the slogan of empathy and understanding, a value that lies in the depths of our humanity and defines our collective responsibility towards those in need,” she said.
She noted that empathy and understanding are not abstract concepts, rather a force that brings everyone together, transcending borders, cultures and languages, to identify and respond to the suffering of others by kindness, compassion and generosity.
From a human standpoint, we must put ourselves in the shoes of those who have endured unimaginable hardship and recognize that, like all of us, whether mothers, fathers, sons or daughters, they crave safety and stability. By embracing empathy, we can break down the walls of indifference and create a world in which people are treated with compassion and respect, regardless of their nationality or any other status. Empathy and understanding also involve action. It is not enough to feel empathy, we must direct our empathy to concrete actions that alleviate the suffering of refugees. We must defend their rights, raise their voices and create inclusive societies that embrace diversity. We must work together, hand in hand, to build bridges of understanding and tear down the barriers that separate us, Her Excellency stressed.
HE Sheikha Hessa bint Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani said that crises and wars have caused the displacement of millions of people within the borders of their countries as well, which means that displacement is not only external, but sometimes internal. In this context, these internally displaced persons and refugees face enormous challenges in their attempt to adapt to an uncertain and difficult reality. However, it is our moral duty as a global community to offer them empathy and assistance, while ensuring their dignity and restoring hope for a better future.
On the challenges faced by refugees, Her Excellency said that individuals and families are often forced to leave their homes and communities carrying only the clothes they wear. They face many immediate challenges, including lack of shelter, and lack of food, water and health care. Stability is difficult because of the dispersal of internal displacement locations, and providing compassionate assistance to these people becomes crucial to saving lives and meeting their basic needs. International organizations, governments and local communities can work together to provide emergency relief supplies, such as tents, food, clean water and medical assistance, as immediate intervention ensures that they can survive in the crisis and get support.
HE Special Envoy of the Arab League Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs indicated that providing health and psychological support is also vital, as many displaced people suffer from trauma and psychological stress. Providing counseling and psychological support services can help refugees recover from their past experiences and imagine a better future.
Source: Qatar News Agency