UNHCR and UNICEF jointly raise awareness in Norway about refugee children

For the entire months of December and January, visitors in central Oslo, making their way past Fridtjof Nansen Plass, will be met by a graffiti-painted container in vibrant colours. It’s placed there by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and UNICEF, the UN Children’s Fund, in a joint effort to raise awareness about the numerous children across the world who have been forced to flee their homes.

Today, almost half of the world’s close to 80 million refugees and internally displaced are children. This means that millions of children spend their childhoods away from home – sometimes separated from their families, at times even unaccompanied and alone. Many children on the move have experienced terrible violence, abuse, and emotional and psychosocial pressure, not only before their flight, but also during their journeys to reach safety.

As this year marks the 75^th anniversary of the United Nations, the need for global cooperation to ensure an even better world going forward seem more important than ever. UNHCR and UNICEF in Norway build on this momentum to spotlight the plight of refugee children – and in the spirit of the Christmas season invite passers-by to stop and reflect, as well as show compassion and support for a better future for the millions of displaced children globally.

The container in Oslo will be painted live by local graffiti-artists starting at noon on 1 December and in the days to follow. The artists provide their work pro bono in support of refugee children, adding strong and creative visuals to the important message of the two UN organizations.

Behind the design is the international nonprofit-organization, CASE Art Fund, who is working globally to raise awareness about children’s human rights through the use of photography and strong imagery, including with their project “I MATTER”.

UNHCR and UNICEF collaborate in emergencies and host countries all over the world to protect refugee children – by providing life-saving aid, defending their rights, ensuring their access to education, and allowing them to rebuild their lives. This is part of the commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, creating a more just and sustainable world, and making sure that no one – including no refugee child – is left behind.

“Children are first and foremost children. Refugee children, no matter if they are here, on our doorsteps, or in remote areas on the other side of the world, must be protected. Our ability to provide them hope and a future is a test of our shared humanity,” says Henrik M. Nordentoft, UNHCR’s Representative to the Nordic and Baltic Countries.

“Every day, refugee children face unspeakable human rights violations and threats to their safety and well-being – and this in the absence of a pandemic. These children, too often hidden from the world’s view, must not be forgotten during the COVID-19 response. 2020 was already set to be a year with more people than ever in need of humanitarian assistance, and this pandemic will only compound the vulnerabilities of children in crisis-affected countries,” says Camilla Viken, executive director at UNICEF Norway.

The placement of the container on Fridtjof Nansens Plass, right in front of Oslo City Hall, draws a straight line back in history. The famous scientist, polar explorer, and diplomat also served as the first High Commissioner for Refugees for the League of Nations (1920-1930).

Fridtjof Nansen helped hundreds of thousands of refugees return home; he initiated the so-called Nansen passport, thereby for the first time providing refugees an internationally recognized identification paper; and he has given name to UNHCR’s yearly award to honour individuals and groups going beyond duty to protect refugees, the Nansen Refugee Award.

#AFutureForEveryChild

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