How radically your world would change if, without notice, you were forced to leave your home and possessions and relocate to an new area, a totally different country? A place where you don’t know anyone, or when you would eat next, or when you would get to go home. You may have only one minute to pack and leave with your life at risk.
This is the reality of millions of people across the world.
I would like to ask if you are reading this that you would pray for families who have lost their homes and are refugees in other countries. Millions of people have been forced to leave their home and country; mostly as a result of civil wars or internal conflicts. They are forced out of their homes and homelands, they have to move to another country to seek asylum, safety, protection, and security to escape violence, armed conflict, and persecution.
Why is today so important? Here are some facts:
- 50 million people in the world are victims of forced displacement
- Almost two-thirds of the world’s refugees are in the Middle East and Africa, with Africa is home to the most refugees in the world.
- Half of all refugees come from just three places Palestinians, Iraqi, or Afghan. [source]
- Global forced displacement is at an 18-year high. [source]
These conflicts and refugees may seem far away, but the reality is that many refugees are living in the United States. If you want to take action, you can do something to help!
- Check out UNHCR. Get informed. Learn. Find new ways to help.
- Research ‘resettlement offices’ in your town. Give them a call to ask if they have volunteer opportunities in your town. A lot of resettlement offices have programs to tutor refugees in English.
- Find an non-profit organization that you can get involved with that helps refugees.
- Read stories about refugees in their own words here.
- Educate and raise awareness. Help people in your school or community learn and take action.
- Pray especially for Syria, which currently is in a state of emergency for refugees.
1 Timothy 4:12 