Honoring World Refugee Day

For 35 years, my home has been one of the world's major conflict regions, home also to over 10 million refugees and displaced inhabitants. World Refugee Day (June 20) is a time to honor and support these individuals and families who persevere through devastating tragedies.

I have lived and worked with the nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees and now nearly 5 million displaced Iraqis, many from each group now making their homes in Jordan. I have also worked with displaced people from Afghanistan, Colombia, Somalia, and those seeking safe haven during the first Gulf War. I have witnessed first-hand the anguish of those uprooted from their homes -- people who have had their lives threatened, homes bombed, and family members kidnapped or murdered.

The global displacement crisis is both a humanitarian and a security issue. History shows that mass migrations pose a serious threat to regional stability, as we have seen in Palestine, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan and West Africa. The Middle East is particularly vulnerable as ongoing tensions are further strained by such large scale displacement.

Yet, I have also seen that refugees are a tremendous inspiration. Supporting these vulnerable people not only reduces their suffering, but also brings peace to troubled regions. Despite the pain and trauma they have experienced, refugees and displaced people hold on to the hope that they can someday return home and rebuild their lives. Like all of us, they want to be able to contribute to society, earn incomes, and send their children to school. An investment in refugees is an investment in whole communities and a clear way to promote peace and prosperity.

Over the past few weeks, conflict between the Pakistani government and militants has made world headlines as some two million people have been forced to flee. In December 2001, I traveled to Pakistan with Refugees International and saw refugees pouring over the border from Afghanistan. Today, Pakistanis who seek protection from the current violence have had no alternative but to live in some of the very same camps built for Afghan refugees. Many more are living with families in small, over-crowded homes, struggling to access emergency aid.

Refugees International just returned from Pakistan again this week, where staff members spoke directly with displaced people, aid workers and government officials to ensure that the needs of displaced Pakistanis are not ignored. RI is now steering through the corridors of power providing the most credible information to policy makers on how to resolve this humanitarian crisis.

The world simply must respond more effectively to this crisis than it has to date. The U.S. has been generous, but other governments are lagging and the UN and private agencies are struggling to meet the massive needs. I have taken the initiative to write a letter to the Foreign Ministers of leading Arab and Islamic governments urging them to respond to the need for humanitarian aid to displaced Pakistanis.

Yet, there are also those refugees whose suffering is no longer making frequent headlines. According to the UN, there could be as many as 4.8 million displaced Iraqis, more than half inside Iraq and the rest scattered throughout the region. Many remain reluctant to return home due to continued violence, the creation of ethnically cleansed neighborhoods, and poor government services. Others have tried to return, but found their homes occupied or destroyed.

While we wait for the situation in Iraq to improve, we must continue to help those who cannot go home. We in Jordan have committed ourselves to providing aid and support to this population. The Noor Al Hussein Foundation, which I chair, is providing health care, rehabilitation services, and psycho-social counseling to thousands of Iraqis in Jordan through our Institute for Family Health. We have also expanded the Foundation's services to provide training to Iraqi youth in home business management and livelihood skills. This encourages entrepreneurship and strengthens their potential to earn incomes. These efforts are a small contribution to addressing the challenges these Iraqi families face while waiting to return home, but there is much yet to be done.

Refugees International continues to lead the call to support Iraqi refugees, as well as millions more displaced people fleeing the world's worst crises. The organization's 30 years of experience has contributed to peace and stability and improved the lives of displaced people in countries like Jordan, Iraq and Pakistan. On World Refugee Day, we should reflect on those we have helped. But we must also focus our gaze on how much more is needed to end the vicious cycle of violence and intolerance, and support a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Her Majesty Queen Noor has been a member of Refugees International's Board of Directors since 2001.

Comments

[SCLAW]

Dear Queen Noor:

Excellent article. It is truly amazing
that the beacon of the West has enabled the Israeli's
to confiscate lands, and reward settlers from Europe
for living in these areas.

The World loudly denounces these practices--as well
as many within Israel, but the US blindly follows the
AIPAC /Occupation line.

I am hopeful that there is a sea change--yesterday I saw
a Stop AIPAC t-shirt in Beverly Hills. The US consciouness
and right-thinking people everywhere are rejecting
the festering dehumanization of the weakest.

Go Obama--Bibby go to...

[admarx]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nwI2hzPjrA

[alexa07]

"Sea change"?? Yes, the old argumentation & vilification of the Palestinians is not nearly as effective as it once was. The old filters are leaking, even in the American MSM, & no one could be more surprised that the old chorus of haters of all things & people Palestinian. On their news site, Yahoo today has a very good video story of a disabled Palestinian man has built himself an electric car. I just read it a few minutes ago. It's long past due to stop the vilification of an entire people, their culture, religions, even their history.

[mommamia526]

What I just wrote sounds harsh, maybe even mean. I am from a family of immigrants, jewish. My father immigrated to The Netherlands, because with degrees and experience he could not get employment. I emigrated to the U.S. because of my husband's career. But that immigrant experience goes back for generations. I am just trying to give voice to a practical consideration. Underlying sources of displacment can sometimes be remedied, and in other times they can not. Holding on to the past, is like the divorced women lamenting "my husband must come back, he made a vow to me before God". It will not happen. One can become bitter and resentful. It will not change a thing, other than one's own life and outlook, and even one's own health. We see in Europe, and all over the result of displacement of people from the ME. They came for employment, many as temporary workers, and they are staying, and many are coming in illegally. It is difficult, especially in an environment where even before their arrival, there was overpopulation.But, people adapt, move over, try to get along and learn from each other. Ultimately, adults, however, are in charge of their own survival, and that of their offspring. Communal aid to help out, charity, is also needed, but it will not succeed without efforts of the refugees themselves. It certainly will not succeed if the refugees send off kassams, or employ bombbelts. In Europe recent ME immigrants are not attacked.

[sheilaofmiami]

Your Highness, I pray for a world where no one need be put in any such situation such as being a refugee. History is full of refugee's and I, as a Jew, still have a certain sense of not being entirely grounded, despite being an born American.

But until we realize there is but one G-d, and until we realize the difference between what G-d would ask of us, and what we want ourselves, war will continue, and with it refugees will happen.

I will pray for peace. Jibby sends regards still, you should call her, she is moving to Dubi soon.

[mommamia526]

For decades and decades we have poured money into refugee situations, and..nothing changes for the refugee populations. Queen Noor does not mention Sudan and Darfur, a.o. and the recent influx of Iraquis were evicted because they were socalled Palestinians, even though their families lived in Iraq for over a century. The problem appears to be that the money does not go to the people, but to socalled leaders. If I, for example, google Arafat, I find that he had billions, and that Suha, even though remarried still receives over $ 10,000.- or more per month plus that the PA has secret fortunes. Whether that is true or not, we can all see how nothing every changes, and it is reported, again and again, whether it be aid to Gaza, or Darfur/Sudan, or elsewhere, that that aid is intercepted, and food and other supplies are sold on the black market at idiotic markups. I believe that human beings are first responsible for their own status, their families, and must take a dynamic role in their own betterment. One can not return home, ever, let alone with empty hands, and without education and temporary means of support. Refugees are, if not pursued and killed, just like immigrants. They must start over and make a a new life.Sitting on one's hands, having four wives at a time, and popping out babies without a means to support them, is not responsible action.

[tj101]

Wow. I totally disagree, with the exception of the corrupt leaders intercepting aid. You can't possibly be equating your situation to that of ,say, a Rwandan Refugee. Seems you and your entire family had the financial means to travel to another country (money, passport, visa, etc) to seek a better life. Can that be said of your average Rwandan? Your family made a choice to move, is that true of your average Rwandan? Was your family chopped up into little bits in front of your eyes? Was there a problem in your area with kidnapping children and forcing them to be child soldiers, often requested to kill a member of your own family?

You have a lot of nerve comparing your situation with that of your typical refugee.

[SMCUVS]

I totally AGREE. The PA loves it when the press focuses on their refugee camps. These people have been living in tents for 40+ years, while their people in charge are living large. If the arab world is so compassionate about the Palestinians, why don't they get them out of their tents and let them move to JORDAN, Egypt, Syria, Saudi, etc. I'll tell you why----they don't want them. They are hypocrites. They need them in their tents for more photo ops and Israel bashing

[mommamia526]

Muhammad Yunus wrote a.o. Creating a World without Poverty. He offers as one suggestion IT technology. This would make it possible for people to be educated in remote areas, or independent of landline communication, buildings, etc. Increased edcuation plus microcredit can improve people's station inlife. Mass migrations and displacements are nothing new. And, as Yunus writes, several issues, such as better education and communication, but also displacement because of global warming will increase problems. Jews have been displaced over millenia and have had one means to cope, education, adaptation, being certain to have portable skills and saving to have a base to start anew somewhwere else. Only recently have some jews opted to return home. Still, one can never return home, and nothing remains the same. One must move on and forward. Refugees are not animals, but living, breating individuals and human beings. They have a stake in their own improvement and status in life.

[Kat119]

Queen Noor,

Thank You for your tireless, strong, brilliant voice for Peace, Freedom and Justice worldwide.

Have read your wonderful book, watched you on Larry King Live, and read everything you write, wherever i find it, plus visit your website.

No one touches the human heart and calls for our inherent, God given Human Rights as deeply and lovingly as you do...please know that your inner powerful Light is mightily dispersing the arrogant, dark, dictatorial forces worldwide....

[juliaizen]

Dear Queen Noor

You are one of the people on the planet that I greatly admire. I come from a family of refugees from the European Holocaust, and am a first generation American citizen. Millions of displaced European Jews were funneled into Palestine, displacing the Palestinian people. This is not a good model, but why can't large "refugee" populations, be relocated, with international support, to areas with tiny, or non-existent human populations, to become citizens of new countries? I realize that it is highly experimental, but perhaps a new, progressive, multi-cultural society could be created. Anyway, it seems like a better solution than being a displaced refugee. It would give people a sense of pride and belonging, instead of a "victim" status. Just an idea.

[alexa07]

oops, of how Arabs & Arab-Americans are depicted in the media, pop culture, arts. Has the situation improved? Can we be optimistic or not? A brand new program on HBO, for example, one I was looking forward to, is a big disappointment. Queen Noor, thanks again for what you do & representing so many so well & with such honor.

[alexa07]

Queen Noor,
Thank you for all the work you do. What I have a very difficult time understanding is how in the 21st century, we can still have ongoing violence directed at population centers, dropping lethal bombs on civilian areas, towns, villages, farms which are also some of the poorest areas on our planet. Iraq, Gaza, Afghanistan & now even Pakistan. How can violence possibly solve any of our problems without creating far more deadly ones?

I recently saw your appearance on Jim Zogby's "Viewpoint" on Link TV. Thank you for having the courage & humanity to speak out for the dispossessed. The world's leaders, I hope, are paying attention.
Many of us are waiting for you to write a sequel to your autobiography. My family was very interested in your views about how Arabs & A

[oxi]

What about Serbian refugees internally displaced in Serbia by Albanians?

[Progressneeded]

I am sure for a country with limited resources it has taken its fair share of refugees including Palestinians, Iraqis and Bosnians. What has your country done?

[Progressneeded]

I am talking about Jordan!

[ZenJu]

Thank you for your passion for justice for those who have lost their homes and their lives to conflict and hardship. (May I say, too, that I greatly admired the late King Hussein of Jordan and that his book Uneasy Lies The Head was a favorite of mine?)
I would like to see the communities of the world open their hearts, their arms and their borders to the descendents of those who fled Mandatory Palestine in the events of the 1948 War. This is only case of people made into "perpetual refugees" in modern history, pawns of cynical goverments for political reasons, of which I am aware. Refugees from every other 20th century crisis have been resettled and given homes, jobs, citizenship, rights and hope...why not these folks, and their descendents? Tiny, beseiged Israel managed to absorb hundreds of thousands of Mizrachi Jews who were driven out of various Arab lands, most stripped of their possessions, in the aftermath of the 1948 War...surely the world can reach out and take in those Palestinian refugees and their descendents, many of whom may not wish to resettle in the West Bank.

[mommamia526]

Exactly, and it is also impractical, because it will require that they again root up their lives. Palestinian demands of Right of Return have similarly practical implications, and not only for Israelis. These Palestinians who voluntarily resettled elsewhwere have lives there now and roots, and their number is greatly enlarged. If they would return, we would have another mass displacement and would the world be responsible for their livelyhood, not only for a short time, but for generation upon generation? It makes no sense. In the same 60 yrs that Israeli immigrants came to Israel they have built and studied, improved their lots, made a society. However, Palestinians, many, like the late Arafat, of whom are not even Palestinians, or Gazans, who de facto are Egyptians, behave like they are children, not responsible for their own lives. Certain individuals or groups of individuals have a stake in keeping them in that situation, sothat they can perpetually enrich themselves and their cronies. The communities of the world can open their hearts, and they have already done so, generously, time and time again, in the case of Darfur/Sudan, with the Palestinians, and others. That it is to no avail, is, indeed because hey are being cynically used by those who pretend to aid them.

[alexa07]

You need to get some new interests & stop venting your hatred for Palestine. What do Suha & her late husband have to do with the new floods of refugees arising out of conflicts in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Iraq & now distressingly, numbering in the millions in Pakistan?
Bombing civilians, killing them in their own homes or destroying their homes & rendering them as displaced families is surely a way to obtain yet more unrest, misery & violence in the world. To blame the families themselves is not acceptable because they are caught up in events over which they have little or no control.

[bschell]

Thank you for your service to the world's refugees. Because they have been displaced they need people like you to speak for them.

How can we control the anger within these communities and channel it to help create peace? Reaching refugee youth is really a key to avoiding some of the radicalization that happens within these displaced communities. If you have a few minutes, I highly recommend watching this short film on Palestinian refugee youth in Jordan and a theater program that offers an alternative to violence: http://explore.org/explore/middleeast/films/144

[ArabianMonkey]

This theatre program (The Freedom Theatre) which is featured in ur link is in Jenin, not Jordan. It was a program stated by Arna Mer Khamis - who was a remarkable political activist and human rights worker, skilled in special ed and art therapy. Arna died in 1995. Her son, Juliano Mer Khamis, made a beautiful must see film called ARNA'S CHILDREN - all details and many must know stories here: http://www.arna.info

As for programs in Jordan engaging youth from the fringes, Ruwwad http://ruwwad.net/ is one org that has been doing amazing work in Jabal Natheef in Amman, Jordan.

[mommamia526]

These people need to let go of their anger. It is waste of energy they should use to better their situation, to learn, to learn portable skills. Again, people are displaced all the time. Palestinians have had 60 years to get over their displacement, but they are holding on to it. The ME is a vast area. Those who are Arabs and muslims have many places where they could be integrated and resettled, and it is up to their own brothers and sisters to open their tents and let them in. But first of all these people must help themselves. I believe in Saudi Arabia there is already a bank which supplies microloans. That could be extended everywhere over the ME. There is tremendous wealth in the ME, concentrated in the hands of just a few families. They do not have to donate it, or give it away, they can use it to extend these microloans for people to start businesses and pay the loans back at a low interest. In Bangladesh people are displaced because of floods, yet they succeed exactly like this, and from the ground up. Laying blame does not help. And what to do if one can not lay blame? Should one be angry and resentful against God, if one is the victim of floods, and shoot kassams off skywards? It is not rational.

[Progressneeded]

They will let go of their anger when you let go of your racism! THESE PEOPLE! You mean all the brown displaced people in the world.