wfn.org | Diakonia & Social Justice Unit Celebrates the World Refugee Day

[mecc <mecc@cyberia.net.lb>]

In solidarity with the world refugees, and in partnership with UNHCR, MECC
Diakonia & Social Justice Unit and partner humanitarian organizations,
Caritas IMC, ArcEn Ciel, AMEL Association, Insan, NTC IECD, MDM AJEM
RESTART, Al Majmouaa organized and celebrated the World Refugee Day with a
series of activities during June 20-27, 2008.  Official representatives of
the Interior Security Forces, national authorities, International
Humanitarian Organizations and Regional Director of OHCHR were present.
This was an expression of solidarity to around 10.000 refugees officially
recognized by UNHCR in Lebanon mostly Iraqi refugees. The World Refugee Day,
June 20th, is a recognition of the struggle and courage refugees express in
running away their homes and countries, running death and leaving behind
everything they have built and strived for.  Arriving to unknown and
inhospitable countries where asylum laws do not provide room for these
groups to work and subsist, mandate humanitarian organizations like MECC
Diakonia and Social Justice/ Service to Refugees, Displaced and Migrants
program, to respond to the needs of the refugees in moral, financial,
health, educational, legal, psychological areas.  At this occasion, official
ceremonies were held at Babel Theatre, Hamra, where UNHCR Regional Director
Mr. Stephane Jaquemet and NGOs representative Mr. Kamel Sioufi delivered
speeches.  Refugees took part in the program as well delivering speeches and
presenting national folkloric dances, recitations, songs, creating a very
enthusiastic and happy atmosphere.  MECC/Service to Refugees, Displace &
Migrants (SRDM) offered a special lunch at the Near East School of Theology
(NEST) on the 27th of June for around 100 elderly refugees, where addresses
were delivered by UNHCR Regional Director, MECC Associate General Secretary
and Amel Association Director.
For more information contact: meccls@cyberia.net.lb

>Middle East Council of Churches
>Office of International Ecumenical Relations
>P.O. Box 5376, Beirut, Lebanon

Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh, General Secretary

mecc@cyberia.net.lb or guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb

>+961-1-353-938
>http://www.mec-churches.org/