Shaikha Jawaher calls for united efforts to help 51m refugees worldwide

Big Heart Foundation sponsors new project to help both Turkish and Syrian women fleeing sexual and gender-based violence.

Shaikha Jawaher at a refugee camp. -Wam file photo

Sharjah - Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children, has called for immediate international action to help the rising numbers of refugees fleeing war and arriving in neighbouring countries.

Shaikha Jawaher said: “The real crisis in a war continues long after the fighting stops with families torn apart and people left stateless, homeless, and without hope. If the international community does not come together and take action on the world’s refugee situation now the impact of war will effect generations to come. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports that, for the first time since World War II, the number of refugees exceeds 51 million people more than half of which are vulnerable women and children. Some have been languishing in refugee camps for decades after the crisis that drove them from their homes. Furthermore, there are now nearly 19.5 million registered refugees in the Middle East and this is a vast and worrying number of people who are displaced and in great need of care and support, creating a humanitarian crisis.”

The call to action comes on World Refugee Day, established in 2001, by the UN General Assembly to renew commitment to end war and conflict, and to help the people who have been forced to flee their homes. World Refugee Day honours the strength and resilience of over 51 million people around the world who have fled war, persecution and human rights abuses. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said it is an opportunity for the international community to recognise the plight of millions of uprooted families across the globe.

According to the UNHCR, there are more than 51 million refugees around the world living in widely varying conditions from well-established camps and collective centres to shelters and open spaces as a direct result from wars, and natural disasters amongst many other reasons. Statistics have shown that each region and each country carries its own causes of having displaced refugees. There are more than five million Palestinian refugees and nearly million Syrians who have been displaced outside their country. Another 7.5 million are displaced internally. An additional three million are displaced in Iraq bringing the total to 19.5 million registered refugees.

“The numbers of refugees are on the rise each day, and I am saddened to hear that this month has seen a new influx of over 23,000 refugees fleeing their homes to escape the conflict in Syria and arriving in Turkey, homeless and facing hopelessness and despair. Many of them are women and children who face an uncertain future, not knowing when, or even if, they can ever return home. It is the duty and responsibility of decision makers globally to help and support these innocent victims of tragic circumstance who find themselves far from home, with little else but the clothes they can carry. That is human cost of war and disasters,” said Shaikha Jawaher Al Qasimi.

Through Shaikha Jawaher’s initiative, the Big Heart Foundation is sponsoring a new project to help both Turkish and Syrian women fleeing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). It is being launched to coincide with World Refugee Day. The project will run until the end of the year, with $500,000 being made available for specialist care for Syrian and Turkish women who have fled from, or are at risk of, sexual or gender-based violence.

Mariam Al Hammadi, Director Salaam Ya Seghar, which oversees all projects for The Big Heart Foundation said: “Women and children are always most at risk when placed in vulnerable situations and so it is essential that specialist services be provided for them. The primary objective of the SGBV programme is to offer life-saving support and services to SGBV survivors, and to raise awareness of SGBV issues.”

“The centres will be equipped to provide psychosocial, medical and legal services for the women of the community who have endured sexual and gender-based violence. Girls and women in need will be able to benefit from focus group discussions, individual therapy or counseling sessions and case-management and referral to other existing specialised services when required,” added Al Hammadi.

• UAE