The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Lutheran World Federation and other faith-based communities commit to supporting refugees
The diversity of origins and traditions that makes humanity unique is under attack from deliberate intolerance, which sometimes manifests itself in brutal violence, and refugees are often on the front line of this attack. Strengthening the traditional role of faith communities in providing refuge to refugees, more than 25 faith-based organisations expressed their further commitment to ensuring dignified conditions and effective protection for refugees, access to social services and the fulfilment of human rights, as well as the strengthening of peace-building efforts. Drawing on their religious teachings, as well as on the fact that some of their communities have themselves experienced attacks, the faith-based organisations want to stand against xenophobia, understanding this as one of the most important tasks (the Lutheran World Information Centre).
The UN refugee initiative “Global Compact” especially recognises the contribution and long-standing experience of faith-based organisations in supporting refugees and will recognise these contributions at the Global Refugee Forum. Both in supporting refugees, including children travelling to find safety and awaiting reception and acceptance, and in providing protection and services, and in supporting communities and seeking solutions, such as private sponsorship programmes, the faith-based organisations committed to working alongside states and the rest of the global humanitarian community to fulfil the promises contained in the UN “Global Compact” initiative.
Below is the list of organisations that expressed their readiness to engage in addressing refugee issues globally (LLSTA editorial note).
1. ACT Alliance
2. Adventist Development and Relief Agency ADRA
3. American Jewish World Service
4. Anglican Alliance
5. Anglican Communion
6. Caritas Internationalis
7. Christian Aid
8. Church World Service
9. EU-Cord
10. Food for the Hungry
11. Global One
12. Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
13. International Catholic Migration Commission
14. Islamic Relief Worldwide
15. Jesuit Refugee Service/USA
16. Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities
17. Lutheran World Federation
18. Network for Dialogue
19. Religions for Peace
20. Soka Gakkai International
21. Tearfund
22. World Council of Churches
23. World Evangelical Alliance
24. World Relief
25. World Vision International
Geneva
20.06.2019.
Source: Lutheran World Federation news
Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
In the photo: Refugees wait their turn at a non-food aid distribution point in Minawao. The Minawao camp for Nigerian refugees, located in the far north of Cameroon, has taken in around 58,000 refugees from north-eastern Nigeria. The refugees are supported by the LWF together with several partners.