LWF Urged to Contribute in Finding Systems that Protect Displaced People
LWI Council Press Release No. 19/2011 | GENEVA, 14 June 2011 (LWI) – Wealthy countries need to do more to welcome vulnerable people who have been forced to flee their homes, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council has urged in a public statement on 14 June.
“This can be a matter of life and death, as is now seen with migrants drowning in the Mediterranean. In the current circumstances in North Africa and the Middle East, the Council calls especially on countries in Europe to offer protection to those seeking asylum,” the statement said.
The Council meeting’s theme is “Discerning Our Common Journey.”
Acting on recommendations from the Program Committee for International Affairs and Human Rights, the Council urged the LWF to continue to work with the international community to find ways to protect displaced persons who do not fit the definition of a refugee.
“These include internally displaced persons and persons who are forced to leave their homes because of circumstances of natural disaster, climate change, and dire poverty,” the Council said.
It expressed gratitude to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other groups who provide protection and hospitality for refugees and other displaced persons, saying that, in Jesus’ words, they “welcome the stranger” (Matthew 25).
The LWF has collaborated with UNHCR for many years, and the Council thanked the UN refugee agency for this long-standing practical partnership in service.
“Through UNHCR, the God-given dignity of each human being has been lifted up and millions of persons who had lost everything have been able to start new lives,” the program committee said.
Refugee work continues to be part of the core witness and work of LWF’s ministry, with the Department for World Service (DWS) operating major programs for refugees around the world, some of which include collaboration with UNHCR.
The committee emphasized that the partnership between the LWF and UNHCR “will go forward with new strength in response to the continuation of situations in which innocent men, women and children are forced to flee. … In this broken world there are millions of refugees, internally displaced persons, unaccompanied children, stateless persons, and forced migrants,” it added.
DWS was commended, alongside LWF member churches and related organizations and local congregations, for their efforts on behalf of vulnerable people and was urged to continue and enhance the work. (402 words)
Statement on Refugees and Forced Migration
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See also:
- LWF Representative in Nepal Welcomes Generous Support to Bhutanese Refugees after Fire Disaster
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- LWF Scales Up Intervention in Camp for Somali Refugees
- UNHCR Representative Urges LWF to Continue Refugee Focus
- Political Attitudes, Economic Crises Pose Challenges for Refugee Response
- FEATURE: Social Worker Answers Call to Help Somali Refugees
- LWF Council Calls for More Engagement in Zimbabwe
- Lutheran Leaders Praise Staff, Host Community, Government for Support to Refugees in Dadaab
