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UNHCR Philippines

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EMBARGOED - NOT FOR USE BEFORE 00:00, 19 JUNE 2015

UNHCR, partners mark World Refugee Day in Mindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines, 19 June (UNHCR) The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Mindanao and its partners are joining offices in some 120 countries in marking World Refugee Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of the growing numbers of forcibly displaced persons throughout the world. This years theme, Refugees, stateless persons, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are ordinary people living through extraordinary times, describes these displaced populations as people like you and me. They might be teachers, farmers, religious leaders, students, community organizers, day care workers, music lovers, etc. IDPs had a life, an identity, a family and a future before they were forced to flee from their homes. Their identity is defined by their previous lives - not by their current situation that prevents them from returning to their communities. They have not lost their identity, their skills or their passions. They just long to return home and resume a normal life without fear, said Peter Deck, UNHCRs head of office in Mindanao. Although the Mindanao region has experienced a reduction in conflict, still each year over 70,000 persons have experienced fear from conflict in their communities and were forced to flee from their homes according to the Protection Cluster, a group of United Nations agencies, inter-governmental organizations and international and local non-governmental organizations who monitor these displacements. Since 2012, a total of 4.6 million persons fled from their homes due to armed conflict and natural disasters in Mindanao and as of May this year, at least 236,541 persons are still in need of a durable solution to their displacement situation. The Philippine government continues to confront serious IDP protection challenges from past and present displacements. Behind these statistics are ordinary people with stories, dreams and desires for a life without fear. We must not forget that these are mothers and fathers, daughters and sons whose basic right to life must be respected. People who led ordinary lives before a conflict forced them to flee. On this World Refugee Day, we are advocating that authorities take on their responsibility to promote human rights and peace in Mindanao to prevent displacement, said Deck. As conflicts are forcing record numbers of people to flee with a devastating impact on families, the UN refugee agency is enjoining everyone to read, listen, and share stories of the displaced which they can find via the agencys campaign microsite www.refugeeday.org, or its Philippines website www.unhcr.ph.

CONTACT PERSONS: Peter Deck 09173056281 | deck@unhcr.org (Cotabato)

Keneath John Bolisay 09155921568 | bolisay@unhcr.org (Cotabato)

World Refugee Day was established by the United Nations to honor the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. It is commemorated each year on June 20. END