June 20 is World Refugee Day.
Around the world, Maryknoll missioners continue to accompany people on the move and witness the conditions from which they flee. On this day, we commemorate the hardship faced by refugees and displaced people. The world is now seeing the highest number of displaced people on record, especially given the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Here are some resources for honoring World Refugee Day:
Take action in support of refugees. Contact your members of Congress today to urge them to rebuild the refugee resettlement program and related initiatives, especially in light of the emerging crises in Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Join a virtual World Refugee Day event organized by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition on Monday, June 13, at 7pm ET: "For World Refugee Day: Welcome for All." You will hear from a panel of faith leaders and directly impacted refugees and displaced people about the need for a robust response of welcome for refugees in the United States.
Read about the work of Fr. Mike Bassano, MM, in a camp for forcibly displaced people in South Sudan. “In Maryknoll, we believe we should be with people at the margins, and you don’t get any more marginal than this,” he says. “I’m in love with the people here.”
Read an article about the response to Ukrainian refugees amid a global refugee crisis: “Ukrainians are Latest Wave of Refugees,” Maryknoll Magazine, Summer 2022.
Pray these prayers for migrants and refugees with your family or community.