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Hearing, reading and watching the highlights about refugees are no news today. Yet, we brace the 21st century with globalization driven by technology that’s made planet earth a village, a village that’s supposed to be warm with harmony prevailing; all nations; all races; one world.
But as a long-term goal of the United Nations, set up after the Second World War more than half a century ago, its cause has not yet been realized, as is evident from the current trend of events.
Refugees have overwhelmingly increased over the past decade because of the world’s on-going and predicted conflicts. The sad fact is that refugees never receive the attention or help they deserve. This clearly shows a certain section of human nature is not given the due dignity and respect they deserve.
Amazingly, as disaster and human crisis indicators advance, responsible world bodies watch on and do not respond at the earliest. Electronic and print media will swing into action as hell breaks loose and telecast human suffering. No respect once again under the cover of ‘letting the world know what’s happening’. Globally renowned broadcasting stations, CNN and BBC will always be the first to telecast the agony and anguish refugees go through especially in the third world countries; in this regard, Africa. There’s hardly anything positive these mighty and professionally managed broadcasting organizations will show about Africa.
Not only do refugees feel insecure after losing homes and loved ones, too but also cannot have the basics like food, medicine to help them live on. The WFP has reached a stage of running out of food - I wonder what the subscription that UN member states pay does if it cannot meet the very basics.
In the most recent refugee crisis in Dafur, deaths are being reported, levels of malnutrition are on the increase and fighting still goes on. Wasn’t the Dafur crisis a prediction? On a good note though, UN Sec.Gen. Koffi Annan and the US Sec. of State Colin Powel rushed to the Sudan and Dafur before the conflict escalated. But what happened? Why did it worsen? What was the missing link? Was it the Sudan Government’s lack of transparency?
Politicians have turned to be a disgrace in their own societies, simply because of greed at the expense of human suffering fuel conflicts. Picture this (a typical scenario in the African Conflicts): Politician X is supplying corn, beans and other foodstuffs to Internally Displaced Persons or Refugees at a cost. He wouldn’t like to lose the market and connives with rebel group that is causing the chaos, supplies them with arms or has links that supplies the rebel group with arms thus facilitating the conflict. This in turn leaves the civilian population with no option but to seek refuge at the closest safest neighbourhood, thus being refugees. A resolution to end conflict has to be settled for.
Thanks to certain countries, especially Canada and the Nordic states that have granted many refugees suffering a better lifestyle or rather improved welfare. Refugees will continue to exist as long as conflict prevails.
The responsible agencies especially in the United Nations are mandated to serve these needy people with utmost passion. It is sad that governments do not take the initiative to assist where need be since some refugees are educated enough to work, have stable income to facilitate their families. At the same time, it is a shame for governments that embezzle assistance from sympathizers that is meant to refugees, as this is a common case. Super powers are urged not to under look the developing world…it has happened before.
Where was Washington, Paris, London or UN's New York while more than a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered for over 90 days 10 years ago? Yes, they watched on as it all happened.
Anyone of us is a potential refugee, one that can lose all that’s been worked for, one that can lose a family. Imagining the sad reality war victims face or rather refugees by not having a clue of where a brother or sister is - yet he/she isn’t dead? Well, it has happened. For sure none of us would like this to happen again.
As TIGers, we can be agents of change; I am already one. It’s challenging, heart-breaking, untold stories lie deep inside certain young people in this global village. They can’t share their agony anyhow, but it’s you to help them, free them from the chains of fear, neglect and offer the little you’ve got. Refugees are part of the world. We ought to give them the human dignity they deserve for one day they are potential great people.
Sincere gratitude to NGOs that have supported this group of people, Medicins San Frontiers as a role model.
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caesar
Hailing from the Pearl of Africa, Caesar has been involved with issues pertinent to youth and general community since high school when he was Director of International relations of the Interact Club, a section for young people in Rotary International, an organization that's involved with community welfare, charity and specifically deals with ideologies that are under the theme:
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