We invite you to commemorate World Refugee Day (June 20) by advocating to protect refugees during the current pandemic and learning more about the vulnerabilities of refugee populations to human trafficking. The Alliance Advocacy Working Group has prepared a list of resources and action items for you to actively engage in this worldwide day of appreciation and commitment to refugees!
Take Action: Tell Congress to Protect Refugees in the next COVID-19 Relief Package
One important way to help prevent the trafficking and exploitation of refugees is to support their relocation to a safe area for permanent resettlement and provide financial assistance for necessities such as shelter, food, and transportation. Once settled into their new homes, it is important to continue offering support to ensure they understand their rights and are not taken advantage of through false offers of employment or out of desperation to care for their families.
The current reality of the global pandemic due to COVID-19 and its impact on the economy puts these already vulnerable communities at even greater risk for exploitation within their new home countries. Given the vulnerability of the refugee population to trafficking and exploitation, particularly during this time of COVID-19, we are calling on Congress to include specific provisions in any future COVID-19 relief package. (Click here to read more)
Spread the Word on Social Media
Join AEHT in spreading the word about #WorldRefugeeDay #WRD2020 on social media! We have created a daily graphic for each of our regular hashtag days this week (#TraffickingTuesday, #WisdomWednesday, #ThankfulThursday, #FactFriday, #SurvivorSaturday) that are available for download here. We encourage you to share these with your social networks!
Learn More
The Alliance Education Working Group created two helpful modules related to human trafficking and refugees: “Human Trafficking and Environmental Refugees,” and “The Intersectionality of Human Trafficking with Migrants, Refugees, and Internally Displaced People.” Both are available in English and Spanish. You can download them for free from our educational modules page.
June Member Reflection: Refugees and Human Trafficking in the Context of a Pandemic
by Kathleen Bonnette
This month’s member reflection focuses on the intersection of refugees, human trafficking, and the current pandemic. Read more here.
World Refugee Day Toolkits
A number of other organizations have put together comprehensive toolkits for World Refugee Day that include educational information, stories, prayer resources, and action ideas. Check them out:
UNHCR World Refugee Day
Read more about the history of world refugee day, current campaigns, and find online virtual events to join on the UNHCR website.