World Refugee Day: Your understanding and support make a difference

(Hong Kong SAR China 30 June 2009) With "Real People, Real Needs," as this year's global theme for the World Refugee Day, UNHCR and its partners, including donors, non-governmental organizations, volunteers and journalists have taken part in a wide range of activities all week long in Hong Kong, from 19 to 26 June.
In a prelude to this yeaŕs World Refugee Day, acclaimed musicians and songwriters toasted the event with music and words of love and care on the evening of 19th June. They paid tribute to the courage and resilience of millions of people forced to flee their homes by conflict and persecution. In three concerts held around the city, they spread awareness of refugees and other displaced people to the Hong Kong public and impressed all participants by their excellent performance.
On the sunny afternoon of 20th June, around 100 UNHCR supporters and staff members took part in a special "Refugee Run" organized by the Crossroads Foundation, a locally based aid group and partner of the refugee agency. The run gives those taking part a simulation of life as a refugee. UNHCR and Crossroads are also co-presenting a week-long refugee film festival, which opens on 21 June.
Refugee Run participant and broadcaster Mr. Chan Chung wrote in an email that the event was very impressive.  Thanks for the message. It connects us together: the Hong Kong public, UNHCR, and the people we serve - the refugees. On his radio programme he shared his experience and messages about refugees.
The first evening of the week-long refugee film festival started with a full house. The story of "stolen children" in a forgotten part of Uganda is connected with us by this documentary. The audience witnessed the cruelty of conflict and the determination of people looking for a better future.
The film festival concluded with a finale 26 June, featuring song-writer and singer Helen Mottee in concert, which started by Helen performing her stunning song, “Do You”, a song written for and about refugee.
Worldwide, at the end of 2008, there were some 42 million forcibly displaced people. This includes 15.2 million refugees, 827,000 asylum-seekers (pending cases) and 26 million internally displaced persons. Of the global total of uprooted people, UNHCR cares for 25 million. Refugees need your continued support. Your understanding of what it means to be a refugee and your support make a difference. Contact us for more details.
Donation Hotline: 2388 3278
Donation A/C : HSBC 502-393333-001
Donation by cheque: Please make cheque payable to "UNHCR" and mail to 1/F, Eaton House, 380 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the following friends/organizations for their support to the World Refugee Day 2009 events.