Donald M. Payne: “Today is World Refugee Day. For many years, numerous countries all around the world have set aside a day for remembering…”

“Today is World Refugee Day. For many years, numerous countries all around the world have set aside a day for remembering the plight of refugees. One of the most widespread is African Refugee Day celebrated June 20 in several African countries. In 2000, as an expression of solidarity with Africa, a special U.N. General Assembly resolution was passed naming June 20 of every year World Refugee Day. Some of my colleagues may be thinking, why do we need a day to celebrate refugees? Why? Because today, right now, there are over 21 million refugees worldwide, people displaced by conflict, humanitarian disasters, and crises; men, women, and children whose lives are starkly different from those we lead because they find it very difficult to meet just basic needs such as food, shelter, and water. Many times, men, women, and children find themselves living in destitute conditions in camps that leave them vulnerable to attack and to disease.”