Refugees

Refugees moving from one
location to another

According to DoSomething.org, in early 2012, there were a total of 15.2 million refugees in the world. Of the 15.2 million refugees, 4.8 million refugees originate from Pakistan. Oftentimes, people leave their country, usually by force, to escape war, natural disaster, or persecution. They lose the sanctuary of their homes and have to find a safe place to stay. Refugees have a well-founded fear of persecution relating to their nationality or religion.

Refugee camp

There are many people who experience situations similar to refugees. An internally displaced person (IDP) is a person who has been forced to leave their home. However, they stayed within their country and have not crossed an international border. Unlike refugees, an internally displaced person are not protected by international law and do not receive much aid. As there is more internal conflict, the number of internationally displace people increased significantly. Returnees are refugees that returned to their home country. As soon as the conflict has ended and their country is being rebuilt, refugees prefer to return to their home country. A stateless person is a person who does not own citizenship of any country. A person can become a stateless person due to many different reasons.. Asylum seekers flee their home country and seek refuge in another country. They can apply for asylum and receive assistance from the country they are in.

Chinese migrants in 1962

In the 1940s-1960s, thousands of Chinese people fled from mainland China to Hong Kong due to war and famine. As many as 100,000 people fled to Hong Kong each month during the 1950s. Many have traveled thousands of miles to begin a new life in Hong Kong. Many of the refugees ended up in shanty towns and refugee camps. Unfortunately, many were sent back to mainland China because the government feared that Hong Kong would be too crowded. Seeking for new opportunities, my uncle from mainland China swam from China to Hong Kong, entering Hong Kong illegally. He disliked China's communism and sought to escape it. He, too, was once a refugee.

Many organizations are doing their best to serve the refugees. Christian Action has registered over 3,700 refugees and asylum seekers. Currently, they have a service center for refugees and asylum seekers in Hong Kong's Chunking Mansions. Christian Action assists refugees with basic essentials, such as food, shelter, and clothing. Opening doors of opportunity, the children are provided with education. Adults are given lessons to learn a new language and to use their time in productive ways. Some classes offered by Christian Action involves subjects such as English, computer training, football, music, and handicrafts. Counselors and psychologists help the refugees that are going through trauma and/or depression.

Hebrews 13:1-2  - Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.



Sites Used:
http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/refugees/
http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-refugees
http://www.unrefugees.org/site/c.lfIQKSOwFqG/b.4950731/k.A894/What_is_a_refugee.htm
http://www.christian-action.org.hk/index.php/en/our-programs/in-hong-kong/refugees
http://hongwrong.com/hong-kong-refugees/