letter from the representative NOBODY LEFT OUTSIDE
Some 65 million men, women and children have been forced to flee their home or country because of war, armed conflict or persecution. Of this number, millions of the most vulnerable people are struggling to survive in desperate living conditions that leave them exposed to both physical and emotional risks. Shelter—be it a tent, temporary shelter or a house—is the basic building block to help people who have been forced to flee, survive and recover from the physical and mental effects of conflict, violence and persecution.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads the international action to protect and provide life-saving assistance to those who have fled. We operate in 126 countries and shelter refugees at all stages of their journey, including the search for durable solutions. But as global displacement has tripled over the past four years, the support of the international community has failed to keep pace with the magnitude of people in need of the most basic support, including shelter.
In the words of the High Commissioner for Refugees, “Shelter is the foundation stone for refugees to survive and recover, and should be considered a non- negotiable human right. As we tackle worldwide displacement on a level not seen since World War II, no refugee should be left outside.”
Nobody Left Outside, our campaign to improve and provide adequate shelter for 2 million people by 2018, is critical at this time. Shelter provides so much: physical protection from the elements, protection against disease and illness, safety, dignity and privacy, a base for recovery, a starting point for receiving services, and a place to protect possessions. No person, especially one forced to flee, should be denied these basic rights.
With sufficient funds and available expertise, the worst displacement crisis
since World War II can be managed, and providing shelter is the foundation of efforts to lift the displaced out of their ordeal. We need your help. As little as $10 can provide sleeping mats for a family of five, providing a level of comfort and dignity that is invaluable in their temporary home. In Kenya, just $400 can fund the building of an adapted home for a refugee living with disabilities, as well as their family or caregivers.
Here at UNHCR Canada, we are proud of Canada’s multi-dimensional contribution to finding solutions to this crisis, notably our exemplary refugee resettlement program. We know however, that we can do more. The sheer potential of Canadian support gives us great hope for the future of those forced to flee. We urge you to consider what shelter means to you, and hope you will join us in our campaign to ensure that nobody is left outside.
UNHCR / 3
JOHANNES VAN DER KLAAUW REPRESENTATIVE, UNHCR CANADA
Warm regards,
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
