UN Refugee Agency launches ‘Hope Away from Home’ campaign

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Wednesday launched a new global campaign entitled ‘Hope Away from Home‘, calling for firm commitments and renewed solidarity with people forced to flee war, violence and persecution.

The campaign has come against a backdrop of increasing levels of forced displacement, with an estimated 110 million people worldwide affected. Moreover, access to asylum also remains under threat in several regions due to restrictive policies and shrinking options.

In a number of places, rising discrimination and xenophobia, populist anti-refugee sentiment, tougher and more restrictive admission policies, and externalisation of asylum obligations continue to threaten the right to seek safety of millions.

Showing Solidarity With Countries Hosting Large Refugee Populations

With insufficient legal routes to asylum, it’s getting harder for more and more people forced to flee their homeland to access safe territory and other fundamental rights. Many are, therefore, resorting to extreme measures, such as taking dangerous routes by irregular means.

Although a number of countries and communities welcome refugees and enable them to restart their lives and make important contributions to their host societies, several more nations must follow suit and express solidarity with other territories receiving the vast majority of refugees.

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“People fleeing war, violence and persecution should be met with compassion and kindness, not barriers, restrictions and discrimination, which should have no place in today’s world,” said Elizabeth Tan, Director of UNHCR’s Division of International Protection.

More Needs To Be Done Despite Commendable Progress

The ‘Hope Away from Home‘ campaign stresses the need for enhanced global solidarity to be transformed into concrete solutions and actions, through improved international cooperation, policy changes and legal reforms.

Several countries have been showing commendable solidarity, but more needs to be done. Over the next three years, the UN Refugee Agency will work together with other partners and stakeholders in order to promote effective law and policy change in five key areas, including

1. Ensuring access to safe territory and shielding people from violence along their route

2. Increasing access to effective solutions such as resettlement

3. Showing solidarity with countries and communities hosting large refugee populations

4. Lifting reservations and establishing fair asylum procedures

5. Ensuring adequate treatment for refugees in line with dignity and inclusion