Mediterranean Refugee Crisis

2015 Autumn
Vol. 18
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is mandated to protect refugees and to seek durable solutions.
Mediterranean
Refugee Crisis
Save this child’s life today!
* The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
A laurel wreath symbolizes UNHCR is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly
Refugee Protection Campaign
2015 World Humanitarian Day Campaign
The person symbolizes persons of concern to UNHCR
Sheltering hands symbolizes UNHCR’s commitment and efforts to protect refugees and
persons of concern.
Contents
03 Refugee Protection Campaign 2015 World Humanitarian Day Campaign
04 UNHCR International
Holding Humanity
Syrian Refugees – The Story of Doaa
Mediterranean Refugee Crisis
08 Interview With You
Conflict Zone Specialist/Producer Kim Youngme
10 Learning about Refugees
Nadia Comaneci (Romanian Gymnast)
Because we have to respond.
12 UNHCR Korea
2015 Talk Concert UNHCR with Refugees – Refugees Are Among Us
Because we have to protect.
14 Thank You
Your Donation Brings Miracles – From Camp to Campus
Because we are all human beings.
Donation News & Thank You
Together we can protect people forced to flee.
16 Quiz on Refugees
Cover Story
“Dad, I was so scared”
From the eyes of a crying Syrian refugee child as he puts his feet on land, we can feel
the fear he must have experienced. This boy, who has left Turkey on a rubber boat and
arrived on the Greek island of Lesbos, is one of more than 410,000 people who have
crossed the Mediterranean in 2015.
© UNHCR / Andrew McConnell
*UNHCR Korea’s newsletter ‘With You’ is sent out to UNHCR donors four times a year (March, June, September, December) by mail.
In 2008, the United Nations designated 19 August as World Humanitarian Day
*If your postal address is invalid, the mail will be returned to the UNHCR Korea office. Please check your donation status and update your address
to honor all humanitarian workers who have lost their lives working in conflict and disaster zones
by logging onto MY PAGE on UNHCR Korea’s homepage (www.unhcr.or.kr).
Publisher | Dirk Hebecker Date of Issue | September 2015 Distribution | Private Sector Fundraising (PSFR) Team, UNHCR Korea Design | INDNP Co.
and to recognize their dedication and sacrifices.
Please scan the QR code above to learn more about our UNHCR staff
working in some 125 countries around the world to protect and assist refugees.
03 UNHCR International – Syrian Refugees
A fishing boat overloaded with hundreds of refugees and migrants, just before being rescued by the Italian Navy. © The Italian Coastguard / Massimo Sestini
* UNHCR provides food, drinking water, other necessities as well as emergency services to refugees.
The Story of Doaa,
UNHCR also provides training on Refugee Law, Law of the Sea, and Human Rights Law to coastguards and rescue workers
so that rescue operations can be carried out in accordance with the international law.
A nineteen-year-old girl
who became a refugee boat hero
Doaa is a 19-year-old Syrian refugee, who
was forced by the war to live a grinding
existence with her family in neighbouring
Egypt. She had to spend every day in fear
Doaa’s story is a story of the more than
and danger, but despite all this, Doaa still
410,0 0 0 pe ople who have crosse d the
had hope, because she was in love with
Mediterranean, the sea of death, in 2015 and
another refugee, called Bassem. He asked
the 2,900 people who have lost their lives
her to go to Europe together and get
during the journey. No one should lose their
married and build a new life. Doaa knew the
life while fleeing conflict and persecution
risks but they got their parents’ approval and
and seeking protection. If they could have
crammed onto an old fishing boat. She did
lived safely in their home countries, they
not know how to swim, but for the second
would not have had to place their lives in the
time in her life, she felt she had no choice
hands of smugglers and start a treacherous
but to flee.
journey.
So Bassem paid his life savings to smugglers,
Within minutes, the boat capsized and
many lost hope. Doaa watched as men took
Doaa with Masa, an 18-month-old girl. “Save
shouted. They spotted her with search lights
US $2,500 each, to get them onto an old
sank, with 300 people trapped below deck.
off their life vests and drowned. Sensing
her,” she said, “I will not survive.”
in the dark and were astonished to find a
fishing boat. It was so packed with people
“I heard pe ople screaming, and water
his end was near, a Palestinian approached
that Doaa’s knees were bent to her chest.
crashing,” said Doaa. She watched the
with his 9-month old granddaughter, Malek.
Doaa, the 19-year-old who could not swim,
On day four, another boat approached the
propeller cut a child to pieces. Miraculously,
“Please take the baby,” he said. “I am very
who had just watched her fiancé drown,
9-month-old Malek died in the boat’s clinic,
vessel. It was rusty and when the passengers
Bassem found a water ring. He held Doaa’s
tired.” Then he gave up and let the sea
was now in charge of saving two fledgling
but young Masa pulled through. Doaa’s
heroism was praised in the Greek media and
young woman clutching two babies.
Even at this moment, there are many
refugee boats drifting at sea.
Please do not let refugees die at sea.
We can help save someone’s life.
Someone who does not give up
despite fear and despair, and who is
strong-hearted just like Doaa.
were ordered to get on, they refused. The
hand and treaded water. There were corpses
take his life. Soon thereafter, Doaa’s fiancé,
lives. They were crying, agitated, hungry and
smugglers left angrily, and then returned to
everywhere. The 100 survivors came together
Bassem had also reached his limit. His last
thirsty. So she told them stories and played
one of Greece’s most respected institutions,
words were, “I am sorr y my love. Please
with them. Another day passed, and then
the Academy of Athens, gave her an award
* This story is an excerpt from the UNHCR website.
forgive me.” He drowned before her eyes.
another. On the fourth day in the sea, Doaa
for her bravery.
(http://tracks.unhcr.org/2015/06/the-death-
Later that day, a mother struggled towards
saw a merchant boat. For two hours she
ram a hole in the side of the hull. “Let the
in small groups and prayed for rescue.
fish eat your flesh,” they shouted, and then
they laughed.
But as day turned to night and to day again,
04 05 boats-a-survivors-tale)
세계 속의 유엔난민구기구 - 시리아 난민 이야기
UNHCR International – Mediterranean Refugee Crisis
Austria
Mediterranean Refugee Crisis
Refugees at Sea
Monthly influx of refugees into Greece by sea
Hungary
■
(people / As of Sep 2015)
Remembering refugees who died at sea
Croatia
410,000
2014
■
2015
(Unit: people)
Romania
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Serbia
Number of refugee arrivals in Europe
across the Mediterranean in 2015
Montenegro
2,900
Albania
in the Mediterranean in 2015
Average number of refugee arrivals
Secondary route
consistent with international and EU Law, including
in the Balkans
New route
guaranteeing the right to seek asylum..
”
UNHCR Support
– UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres -
FEB
1,892
18,678
Turkey
MAR
APR
MAY
3,452
31,037
JUN
421
50,242
The main route
States should manage their borders in a way that is
1,171
2,982
1,391
13,556
Greece
2,000-3,000
JAN
1,604
7,775
Bulgaria
Macedonia
Number of deaths and missing refugees
“
Kosovo
1,033
1,724
JUL
7,111
80,662
AUG
With your help, UNHCR is taking the lead in rescuing, protecting, and supporting refugees crossing the Mediterranean.
Providing emergency rescue kits including blankets, towels, clothes, water, and high-nutrient energy bars
Establishing refugee registration centers and mobilizing personnel for rapid registration process
A group of Syrian refugees arrive on the island of Lesbos, Greece after traveling in an inflatable raft from Turkey. © UNHCR / Andrew McConnell
The image of Alan Kurdi’s body – a three-
refuge in neighboring countries. However,
U n der th e circums tances , U N H CR has
year-old Kurdish boy lying on the shores of
those refugees who have been staying in
declared a Level 2 emergency in these four
Bodrum as if he were asleep – touched the
nearby Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan are
countries since June 2015. Together with the
hearts of people all over the world and shed
now taking the dangerous sea route to
governments as well as other partners and
light on the stories of refugees forced to flee
Europe with a faint hope of a better future.
local communities, UNHCR is leading the
Providing temporary shelters
Protecting and supporting separated refugee children
$
Providing medical assistance
UNHCR Donation
(As of Sep 2015)
Out of 30.5 million US dollar, the amount required by the end of 2016 to support
refugees in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, UNHCR has received 2.7 million dollars
27.8
million
91%
(9% of the total) to date.
↼ Remaining
Requirement
Amount
↼ Raised
efforts to assist the refugees in the area.
on the dangerous sea routes.
For the last few months, the average number
Refugees are parents, children, and families just like us.
The number of migrants and refugees who
of refugees and migrants crossing the
Moreover, as refugee issues attract growing
have crossed the Mediterranean Sea this
Mediterranean to the Balkans on a daily
attention, and European countries take in
year has exceeded 410,000. 80% of them are
basis reached 2,000-3,000. Without enough
extra number of refugees, UNHCR continues
from Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, and Somalia.
shelters, sanitation facilities, food and water,
to provide specialized advice, suppor t
In fact, 90% of the 200,000 arrivals in Greece
they continue their perilous journey by bus,
and advocacy so that the countries can
With 100,000
Korean Won,
are from Syria.
by train, or on foot to western and northern
provide adequate protection and support to
you can provide
Europe. This has placed severe pressure on
refugees.
sleeping bags
The Syrian civil war, ongoing since 2011, and
transit countries such as Greece, Macedonia,
the threats from the Islamic State (IS) have led
S e r b i a , a n d H u n g a r y i n te r m s o f t h e
more than 10 million Syrians, a half of Syria’s
reception capacity and asylum system.
Your donation will make sure no more refugees will face tragic ends like Alan Kurdi did.
for two refugee families.
With 300,000
Korean Won,
you can provide blankets
for 27 refugees.
ith 500,000
W
Korean Won,
you can provide emergency
rescue kits (water, clothes,
ith 1,000,000
W
Korean Won,
you can provide tents
to shelter two refugee families.
towels, etc.) for 16 survivors.
※ These are just some examples of how your donation can be used. Whether you are a first-time or long-time donor of UNHCR,
you can fill out the donor form inserted in the newsletter and send it by mail or send a picture of the completed form
via text message (1666-7147) to make a donation for emergency assistance.
population, to be internally displaced or seek
(Left) Refugees and migrants who have arrived in Greece, line up in front of the Greece-Macedonia border. © UNHCR / Ivor Prickett (Center) A Syrian man carrying a baby walks in direction of Vienna, Austria after leaving
(Left) A UNHCR staff member carries a dehydrated baby to receive help at Moira camp, Lesbos, Greece. ©UNHCR/Andrew McConnell (Center) A Syrian woman who have arrived at the port of Chios, Greece, gives some water
Budapest, Hungary. © UNHCR / Mark Henley (Right) An Austrian bus to transport refugees to a local station, is surrounded by Syrian refugees who have arrived at the Hungary-Austria border. © UNHCR / Mark Henley
to her child. © UNHCR / Aikaterini Kitidi (Center) At Amman airport, UPS and UNHCR staff are working together to prepare the airlift with emergency items to Greece. © UNHCR / Aikaterini Kitidi (Right) A UNHCR staff provides procedural and legal information to a group of Syrians who arrived at Chios island. © UNHCR / Aikaterini Kitidi
06 07 Interview With You – Producer Kim Youngme
(Left) Refugees arrive on the Island of Lesbos, Greece after crossing the Aegean from Turkey
(Right) A Syrian woman cries in relief as she embraces her 3 young children, after arriving on the Island of Lesbos, Greece.
The Unbelievable Stories of
Our Neighbors
Conflict Zone Specialist / Producer Kim Youngme
“
Refugees crossing the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas need,
at minimum, life jackets to survive.
It is you who can provide them with life jackets.
”
southernmost island. As the distance is only
Refugees say that more people have died in the
about 300km, this is the shortest route to reach
sea than arrived safely on land.
and Greece for one year, interviewing refugees
and listening to their stories. All the refugees
have their own unique reasons for leaving their
homes, and the number of refugees arriving in
Europe continues to increase. The total number
of Syrian refugees has already exceeded 4
million. And yet, Syrian refugees are widely
envied by other North African refugees, because
they are thought to be attracting attention from
the media and European countries, and as a
result, gainining refugee status rather easily. It
is still hard for refugees from other countries
in North Africa, Somalia and Eritrea to be
recognized as refugees.
sight, but, just then, a big wave struck the boat. I
1,000 euros. They did not have enough money.
felt like the raging water had swallowed me. And,
I had an opportunity to see first-hand the
The reality was the less you paid, the less safer
all of a sudden, we all fell into the sea.” None of
Africa, Syria, and Iraq crowd along the shores,
The reasons why refugees choose to be on
situation in Alan’s hometown, Kobani, located in
the boat would be: the 1,000-euro-rubber boat
the refugees on board were wearing life jackets.
looking for smugglers, who help them get to
board such dangerous boats and head to
Northern Syria. While in Kobani, the first thought
failed to take Alan’s family safely to Greece. The
While they were all struggling, they saw another
Italy. The prices of boat tickets range from 200 to
Europe is because they could no longer live
that came to my mind was, “no one can possibly
boat got flipped over by a wave and killed both
wave rushing in from the other side of the sea.
1,000 US dollars per person. When asked about
in their home countries. In case of Syria, the
live here.” The entire city was destroyed by
Alan’s mom and brother.
Just then, Mohammed found a rubber buoy,
the reasons behind such a big price gap, they
ongoing civil war has entered its fifth year, and
bombings, no single building remained standing,
say the prices vary according to the condition
Somalia and Eritrea are suffering from severe
and I felt as if I was looking at skeletons. Alan’s
The image of Alan, lying dead with his face
plowed his way through the sea. He managed to
of the boat. The tickets for large boats in good
famine and food shortage. People are starving to
parents had fled from such a nightmare and
down on a beach, deeply affected people
survive but his two friends did not. Mohammed
conditions are more expensive, and those for
death and innocent civilians are being bombed
moved to a refugee camp in Turkey. However,
around the world. Regardless of nationality and
cried, “My body was all wet and I sat on the
small and flimsy boats are cheaper. Locals say
and killed. In order to survive, they have no
it was not easy for them to stay in Turkey where
race, the image broke the hearts of every mother
shore, staring blankly at the sea for hours. I had
as refugee-smuggling businesses — taking
other option but to flee their countries. However,
people spoke a different language, there was
and father who saw it. However, there are still a
to look for my friends who grew up with me in
refugees across the Mediterranean from Libya
because they live in tribal communities, they
no work to do, and they could only wait for the
lot of people like Alan crossing the Aegean Sea.
the same town, but I did not know what to do.”
to Italy — thrive, all the boats in North Africa
have stronger attachment to their homelands,
war to end. The hope that their country would
Mohammed, a 15-year-old Syrian boy, arrived in
Without even being able to find the bodies of
seemed to have gathered here along the shores.
more so than the people from the Western
become stable disappeared eventually, and
Bodrum, with two of his friends, to take the same
his friends, Mohammed was taken to the police
The problem is the greedy smugglers trying to fit
countries. They flee their towns in tears, where
Alan’s family decided to go to Europe. They
route as the one Alan had taken. He said, “While I
and was forcibly deported. He left Greece and
in as many people as possible onto the boats for
they have lived since their grandparents’
first moved to Bodrum, a town on the southern
was hiding in a forest near the beach, I managed
moved to Hungary via Macedonia. “If only there
a profit, sometimes up to 8 times over capacity.
grandparents. In most cases, they leave behind
Aegean coast of Turkey because they could
to secretely contact a rubber boat dealer via
were life jackets, my friends would have survived.
Such overcrowded boats are dangerous.
their livestock and all of their assets and flee with
easily reach Europe if they cross the Aegean
Facebook. He was what they call a “refugee
Please share my story with the world. Ask people
Refugees can sit in the middle of a relatively
just a bundle in one hand and their child’s hand
coast and go to Kos, a Greek island, which is only
smuggler.” Mohammed chose to ride the boat
to help us with life jackets.”
safer boat if they pay more, but otherwise, they
in the other, in hopes to reach “a safe country.”
20 kilometers away from Bodrum.
on a day when the weather seemed nice and
have to sit on the side of a flimsy boat, tossing
This is how people become refugees.
Europe on boat overnight. Refugees from North
I have been traveling in Libya, Tunisia, Italy,
family could pay only a half of that, which is
happened everywhere constantly.
about on the waves. Without life jackets or any
The sea routes most frequented by refugees
other safety equipment on board, refugees from
when they head to Europe stretches from the
North Africa or the Middle Eastern deserts who
shores of Tripoli, Libya to Lampedusa, Italy's
do not know how to swim find themselves in
great danger when strong waves flip the boats.
drifting away. He held the buoy in his arms and
the sea seemed to be calm. The boat he and his
Refugees crossing the Mediterranean and
The rubber boat that Alan’s family boarded to
friends got on was a 10-seat rubber boat, but
Aegean Seas need, at minimum, life jackets to
The case of Alan Kurdi, a three-year-old Syrian
get to Greece was not free. In Bodrum, there are
the greedy smuggler tried to fit more than 20
survive. All of us could take the lead in providing
boy, was more or less the same. When Alan
tons of smugglers who take refugees to Europe
people onto the boat. So, later, when they were
them with life jackets. We are the ones who can
was born, Syria was still at war. For the three
in small dingy or rubber boats. You could ride a
about to reach the island, there arose a problem.
do that.
years after he was born, attacks and murders
safe speedboat if you pay 2000 euros, but Alan’s
“I sighed in relief when the island came into
* We thank Producer Kim Youngme for a great story and for her support for refugees around the world!
08 09 Learning about Refugees - Nadia Comaneci
“
Legendary Gymnast,
Nadia Comaneci
With passion, effort, and will,
nothing is impossible.
”
The Girl Who Made the Impossible Possible
A New Start
Everlasting Gold Medalist
In 1976, at the Montreal Olympics, everyone
Ceauşescu and his son, and media rumors were
Nadia had to lead a difficult life in the U.S. because she was away
Currently, Nadia runs a gymnastics academy in the U.S. with her
was shocked by the perfect performance of
just too much for a teenage girl to handle. She
from her family and thus had no one to protect her. Her fame made
husband and makes large donations for future gymnasts. And, as
a 14-year-old, 4-foot-11 girl on the uneven
gained much weight from overeating and it
things even more difficult because people tried to take advantage of
part of the "Impossible is Nothing" Olympics Campaign, Adidas made
parallel bars. However, the scoreboard displayed
seemed impossible for her to carry on with her
her. In fact, Panait, who helped her leave Romania, tried to abuse her.
a commercial featuring Nadia’s ‘Perfect 10’ video. In fact, Nadia is
1.0 and the audience began to shout vulgar
career. However, Nadia met Károlyi again, and
He made her disconnect all of her friends and acquaintances, and
a member of the All Time Legend Club, known to permit only the
remarks at the judges in disapproval. Soon, it
after harsh training, participated in the 1980
participate in some provocative events. Meanwhile, Nadia received
greatest sports stars of all time. Recently, Yuna Kim became the first
turned out that the scoreboards were equipped
Moscow Olympics and earned two gold and
much criticism since Panait turned out to be a married man. After all,
Korean athlete to join this club, formed by swimmer Michael Phelps,
only to report a maximum score of 9.9, and so
two silver medals. Later, Nadia recalled that her
Nadia broke up with Panait and settled in Canada. There, she met
basketball player Yao Ming, and track and field athlete Carl Lewis. In
displayed the perfect score as 1.0. The young
participation in the Moscow Olympics was an
Bart Conner, a U.S. gymnast, and started a sport business together. In
2008, Nadia visited Korea to direct the World Gymnastics Gala held in
gymnast earned six additional 10s over the
even more invaluable experience than her first
fact, they had first met at the World Championships which Nadia had
Seoul.
course of the Olympics, and became the triple
Olympics.
participated just before the Olympics, when she was 14, and had run
Olympic champion of Montreal. This is the story
of Nadia Comaneci, then called ‘the fairy from
Montreal.’
What Lies behind Glory
across each other several times since then. Now, Nadia and Conner
Perilous Escape
Legendary gymnast, Nadia Comaneci. She was once a refugee as well.
are leading a happy married life.
Although Nadia returned to the Olympics after
overcoming all the hardships, she still had to
chafe under the tight restrictions placed on
When interviewed during the Olympics, Nadia
her by the Romanian government. And, those
said that she hopes to eat as much as she wants
restrictions were tightened after her coach
and play with her friends after the Games.
Károlyi defected to the United States. Her phone
This shows how hard she had been working
calls, letters, and outings were all monitored.
since she was little and in many ways, reminds
In fact, she was not permitted to travel outside
Refugees in Korea
us of famous Korean figureskater, Yuna Kim.
her native country and thus had to make the
Like Nadia Comaneci, people who have fled their home countries in fear of conflicts,
However, not only did Nadia have to endure
difficult decision to retire.
violence, and persecution and applied to become refugees in a foreign country are
harsh training with coach Bela Károlyi since
called asylum-seekers. In order to receive protection as a refugee in the Republic of
she was six, but she had to also endure the
At last, Nadia, with the help of Constantin
Korea, Application for Recognition of Refugee Status must be submitted to one of the
communist regime in Romania. Under the
Panait, a Romanian-born U.S. citizen, fled
Immigration Offices. If in detention, asylum-seekers may submit their application to the
communist regime of Nicolae Ceauşescu,
Romania for the United States. She was no
Director of an Immigration Detention Center. Since the enactment of Refugee Law in
Nadia was used as a propaganda tool by the
more an Olympic hero but a refugee with no
July 2013, application forms can now be submitted at ports of entry as well. Refugee
Romanian government. She was believed to
passport, and had to walk for hours across
statistics in Korea are as follows. (As of 31 July 2015, Source: the Ministry of Justice)
live a comfortable life as an Olympic hero,
snow f ields, sneak ing past border guards
but, in reality, she lived in destitution and
patrolling with machine guns. This was in 1989,
was oppressed and strictly supervised and
just 20 days before the abolition of Romania’s
monitored by the government. And, for the
communist regime. “At first, I could not imagine
dictator who reigned from 1965 to 1989
sake of effective political propaganda, the
leaving my family behind and fleeing Romania.
(president since 1974) and installed a brutal
government removed her from her longtime
I needed much courage to finally decide to
regime of terror incluing surveillance and royal
coach, Károlyi, and sent her to the Romanian
escape because I knew how frightening and
guards. When the regime was collapsed in
capital, Bucharest. There, she was seduced by
dangerous it is.”
1989, he was caught and executed by firing.
Asylum-seekers
* Nicolae Ceauşescu: A Romanian Communist
10 Refugees
,
Humanitarian
Status Holders
Pending Cases
,
(Unit: people)
11 UNHCR Korea
(Left, Center) Refugee families speaking at the event
(Right) (Front row, from the left) Donor Kim Do-hoon, Goodwill Ambassador Jung Woo-Sung, UNHCR Korea Representative Dirk Hebecker
2015 Talk Concert
Refugees Are Among Us
"Korea is my second home"
© UNHCR
© UNHCR
© UNHCR
The 2015 Talk Concert "Refugees are among us” was
ordinary people and they are our neighbors. They
Mamadou Sum from Cote d’Ivoire – and their families
questions such as his age, his nationality, and the
difficulties living as a refugee in Korea, they agreed
own country which has tens of different languages, it
held at Cinecode Sunjae on 3 September. The one-
wish to be your friends.” Goodwill Ambassador Jung
shared their stories, and talked about how they first
reason why he came to Korea. He also talked about
that they had also been moved and inspired by
has one common language.
hour concert, hosted by an entertainer Park Kyung-
Woo-Sung said, “Recently, Koreans also experienced
came to Korea, and what it is like to live as a refugee
the mistakes that he had made at work because of
Koreans, and that they think of Korea as their second
Rim, was joined by Dirk Hebecker, the representative
a near-war situation. We need to understand that
in Korea, allowing us to understand their challenges.
his poor Korean skills. Mr. Ronel also talked about
home. Without a doubt, Mr. Yiombi’s three children,
of UNHCR Korea, Jung Woo-Sung, the Goodwill
refugees are not strangers but our neighbors, and
the time he first came to Korea. He said that he had
who talked about their favorite food, favorite singer,
Mr. Yiombi said, when he first arrived in Korea, he
experienced difficulties because, at that time, people
and their dream jobs in fluent Korean, were no
thought he had arrived at Pyeongyang because
were ignorant of foreigners as well as refugees.
different from any other Korean children. And, Mr.
he confused North Korea with South Korea just like
Mr. Sum also shared the similar situations he had
Sum said that he was impressed by the pali-pali
Then on stage, three refugees – Yiombi Thona
many other visitors do. He also spoke of his difficulties
experienced because of language and culture.
culture (meaning “hurry, hurry”) that focuses on
Dirk Hebecker, UNHCR Representative, made
from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chakma
living as a refugee in Korea. He said that he could not
opening remarks in Korean, saying, “Refugees are
Nani Ronel of Jumma Tribe in Bangladesh, and Silla
understand why someone would ask him personal
Ambassador of UNHCR, three refugee families,
officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry
think about what the main causes of the global
refugee crisis are.”
of Foreign Affairs, and about 300 participants.
Behind
Story
getting things done as quickly as possible. He added
Although they all had experienced sorrow and
The concert, which ended with singer The Film’s
performance, informed people of the reality refugees
face and helped them realize refugees are not
objects of pity but our friends and families who live
in our communities. As Mr. Ronel said, “refugees are
strong-willed people who bring their knowledge,
skills, and experience to a new region.”
that Korea is a blessed country because, unlike his
(CHT), the southern hilly region of Bangladesh is similar to
Mr. Yiombi
Korea has been playing an important role in
Network, I can imagine how happy refugees must feel to
Korea with respect to environment, culture, and religion. 70%
the international community. I hope that Korea would be-
receive your support through UNHCR. On behalf of them, let
of the CHT is made up of hills, mountains, green bushes, col-
come more welcoming to international visitors and acknowl-
me say thank you Korea!
orful wild flowers, brooks, and rivers. I miss my home all the
edge the cultural diversity in all of its communities.
Mr. Sum
time. In spring, I miss the flowers and charming birds. In sum-
Mr. Ronel >>> As a refugee in Korea, I want to extend my sin-
donors and partners. Your support and interest have made it
>>>
>>>
I express my deep gratitude to UNHCR Korea’s
Silla Mamadou Sum
Chakma Nani Ronel
Yiombi Thona
mer, I miss the rivers and ponds where I used to swim with my
cere gratitude to Koreans. Because of Koreans and because
possible for such an event to be held and raise both aware-
Country of Origin: Cote d’Ivoire.
Country of Origin: Jumma tribe, Bangladesh
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
childhood friends. In autumn, I miss the foggy mornings and
of your struggle for freedom, I could become recognized as
ness and interest towards refugees.
Reason for Fleeing: He applied for the asylum for fear of
Reason for Fleeing: He applied for asylum for fear of persecu-
Reason for Fleeing: He applied for the asylum for fear of po-
dry leaves, and in winter, I miss my relatives and friends that I
going back to the country as civil war broke out in his na-
tion as a minority group.
litical persecution as an intelligence officer.
a refugee and enjoy my freedom here. I believe we, refugees,
tive country during his business trip to Korea.
Status: Entered Korea in 2000, recognized as a refugee in 2004,
Status: Entered Korea in 2002, recognized as a refugee in
used to visit frequently.
will not remain refugees forever. I hope refugees could be
Status: Humanitarian status holder
and naturalized as a Korean citizen in 2011
2008
Occupation: Entertainer and worker at fish market
Occupation: Human rights activist at Gimpo Foreign Residents
Occupation: Professor at Gwangju National University
W h a t i s yo u r g o a l i n l i fe? H o w w o u l d yo u
describe yourself in 10 or 20 years?
Support Center
Mr. Yiombi
>>>
By 2020, I hope to be able to take part in
someone’s refuge, too.
Mr. Sum >>> I wish for anything that would be good to the Korean society. Koreans are hard-working. I hope the younger
generation also would work as hard as their parents’ genera-
Mr. Yiombi >>> I was impressed to see the audience so focused
house, food, or clothes to wear. There are children who have
addressing refugee-related issues in Korea. After that, I
on our talk. I felt if they were the decision-makers right now,
witnessed deaths before their eyes. I think this is all too cruel
would like to return to my home country and apply the same
many refugee issues would be solved overnight.
to children. “God, I thank you for allowing me and my children
solutions there. I firmly believe that I will become one of the
of audience full of Koreans. I realized Korean people cared
Mr. Ronel
to stay in Korea, and also thank you, Korea!”
change-makers in Congo in the near future.
donors and partners who will be reading your story
about foreigners, especially refugees.
Yiombi’s sons & daughter) talking about their lives and future.
Mr. Ronel
in With You.
What are your general impressions or feelings
about the Talk Concert?
Mr. Sum
>>>
I was surprised and glad to see a great number
Mr. Ronel >>> I thought the talk concert was very meaningful
although I felt limited in terms of time and content. It was
great to see participants from different walks of life as well,
but I thought it would have been better if we were able to
discuss more issues.
Mr. Yiombi >>> I was satisfied with the event and I think it would
have been even better if more people had participated. Why
not having the same kind of event in other provinces, too?
What was the most memorable moment or the most
impressive part of the event?
>>>
To me it was the teenaged participants (Mr.
It was an essential part of the event. I tend to pay a close at-
When and what do you miss most about your
country?
tention to the children of refugees because their situation and
future are different from those of their parents. Compared
to other refugees, the children of refugees are much more
like Koreans, since they are growing up in Korea and their
emotional foundation comes from Korea. On the other hand,
they also seem to experience more difficulties in the Korean
socio-cultural environment than their parents.
Mr. Sum
>>>
I was impressed by the video shown during the
event. Watching innocent African children suffer without any
protection because of some selfish and greedy people made
me cry. There are children who live with their parents with no
Mr. Yiombi >>> I miss Congo all the time. Whenever I watch the
news in Korea, I want to be able to return to my country and
inspire changes there with Korea as a model. I think Korea has
become a successful developing country with its human and
natural resources. Then why not Congo with all the resources
it has?
Mr. Sum
>>>
I miss my country most at the time of religious
festivals. I also miss my daughter who is left alone in my coun-
>>>
I want to become a more intelligent and won-
a 3-year-old Syrian refugee child. Please share
words of encouragement to refugees who are fleeing from conflicts, violence, and persecution at this
very moment.
Mr. Yiombi >>> To me, the 3-year-old child’s story is one that is
Pl e a s e s ay a few wo rd s to U NH CR Ko re a’s
just unbelievable in this so-called modern society we’re living
in. I would like to tell refugees, my colleagues, to never give
up and keep on trying until their rights are respected. While
Mr. Ronel >>> I’d like to say that one does not become a ref-
staying in host countries, try to maintain contact with your
as a good father doing the very best for his son, and as the
ugee because of one’s own fault. There are reasons like dis-
homeland, and work hard to change what forced you to flee
best husband who loves his family. Also, I want to be a proud
crimination and persecution that turn into communal clashes,
your country so that in the future, there would be no more
Jumma through continuing my efforts to build a free Jumma
wars, and killings. Refugees leave their home for safety. Ref-
forced migrants from your land.
nation.
ugees need temporary shelters in your country, but they also
Mr. Sum >>> I would like to tell the refugees who are forced to
Mr. Sum >>> In 10 or 20 years, either in Korea or Côte d'Ivoire, I
need a permanent solution to discrimination, persecution,
flee from violence and conflict to rely on God and keep on
want to start my own business. Also, I want to be a happy fa-
and war in their countries so that they can return home one
praying. We will also pray for you everyday.
ther, watching my children get a good education and a good
day. Please support refugees and speak up!
job, and grow up to be an independent person.
Mr. Yiombi >>> UNHCR’s donors and partners are peacemak-
Mr. Ronel >>> Actually, my hometown, the Chitagon Hill Tracts
12 have reported on the heart-breaking death of
derful Korean, as a social worker, as a helper for the poor,
What do you wish for the Korean society?
try without any protection. I am worried about her future.
tion for the country.
Recently, the mass media all around the world
13 ers. I thank you for your contribution to the life and protection
of refugees. As Deputy Chair of Asia Pacific Refugee Rights
Mr. Ronel >>> Dear Kurdi, I feel ashamed for not being able to
save you, but the world has learned a lot from your death.
* We deliver our gratitude to Mr. Sum, Mr. Ronel, and Mr. Yiombi
for sharing their stories wholeheartedly!
Your Donation Brings Miracles – From Camp to Campus
Donation News & Thank You
Donation News
From Camp to Campus,
UNHCR Korea Goes Paper-Free!
The Story of a Refugee Girl
from South Sudan
Donation Receipts for Year-End Tax Deductions are now
available online.
Your donation receipts for year-end tax deductions will no
longer be mailed. We are introducing this change in hopes that
reducing postage expenses would keep our administrative costs
down, and as a result, allow us to help more refugees.
“
Once you have registered online with your 13-digit resident
registration number, 2015 donation receipts will be available on
I would love to return as a successful citizen,
ready to make a change.
”
end tax adjustment service from National Tax Service for Korea
website (www.hometax.go.kr) starting January 2016.
© UNHCR
them get ration cards from the UNHCR office.
enjoys school life and the environment of books,
in Kakuma camp, in north-western Kenya
With these documents, each family member was
friends, fun discussions and personal time. She
with the dream of becoming the first female
able to collect 300g of maize, 85g of split peas,
is also the library prefect and spends most of her
neurosurgeon in South Sudan. Her cheerful
60g of corn soya blend, 50g of oil and 7g of salt
time reading up on current affairs and finishing
eyes sparkle as she laughs heartily among her
each month.
her assignments.
UNHCR Korea
Click
registration numbers with UNHCR Korea can register online at
official site
'My Donation'
www.unhcr.or.kr
and login
Thank You
theatre for extending a warm hug to the refugees.
Esther and her sisters were enrolled in school
Her family is currently in South Sudan; she hasn’t
“All I want is a better life. I do not want to be
immediately. “My mother values education and
seen them in over two years. “I miss my family
identified as a refugee for the rest of my life.”
she believed a good education would help us
and friends and especially South Sudan,” she
Esther is the last born in a family of three girls
have better lives.” Esther admits that she was
says. Most of the people Esther knows in South
from Juba raised by a single mother. She has
an average student in primary school. “I didn’t
Sudan are married with children. She imagines if
no recollection of her father, who died in the
take my studies seriously and I was not the best
she were still there she would not have had the
war before she was born. Her mother brought
performer in school.” However, this would soon
chance to study. “In my culture, people believe
the girls to Kakuma camp in 2009, when the
change when her mother resorted to drinking
that girls should stay at home and raise children.
tensions in Juba escalated and insecurity was rife.
cheap illicit liquor brewed in the camp to cope
Girls are considered a source of wealth to the
Although she was only 10, Esther vividly recalls
with the stress of life. “My mother had given up
family. I want to break the record and prove that
the arduous journey to the camp. “It took us
and I was afraid that she did not have any hope
girls have a future.”
almost one week to travel. We left Juba at night
left in life. Sometimes she would sit up all night
with nothing but the clothes we were wearing.”
and cry.” Esther decided that she would focus
Esther often goes for long evening walks with
Their journey took them through Uganda first
on her studies to give her mother a reason to
her uncle Chol along the river. “I love science
During our Summer Project Campaign (July-August), the
and then Kenya’s capital before they eventually
be proud of her. “People used to tell me I can’t
and math and I believe in myself… I imagine I
campaigners raised awareness of UNHCR’s activities around
arrived in Kakuma. “At one point our bus broke
succeed in school because I have a mother who
am living a different life and making a difference
the world, and encouraged people to join UNHCR in protecting
down in the bush and we were almost attacked.
is illiterate. How can you succeed in school and
in people’s lives.” she says. Esther hopes to one
refugees. They provided information on the increasing number
your own mother cannot read?”
day return to South Sudan, a country she left as
of refugees worldwide and emergency situations they are in
a young girl full of fear. “I want to be the girl that
through UNHCR’s on-going campaign, “1 Family”.
attackers ran off.”
Through sheer determination, her grades
made it from the camp to campus and from a
Her uncle Chol welcomed them at the camp. He
improved, and she was accepted into the only
refugee to a neurosurgeon.”
was among the first group of "Lost Boys" to arrive
boarding school with modern facilities. “Every
in Kakuma in the early nineties. Chol provided
girl wants to make it to this school, so I consider
* This story is an excerpt from the UNHCR website.
his sister and her family with shelter and helped
myself very lucky to have this opportunity.” She
(http://tracks.unhcr.org/2015/08/from-camp-to-campus)
14 My Profile
View / Modify
basic information
Thank you for your donation! We will ensure that it’s used in the most effective ways possible.
Accompany Thank you to those who love musicals and
classmates in Kakuma camp.
* How to check whether your resident registration number has
been registered
D o n o r s w h o h ave n ot re g i s te re d th e i r 13- d i g i t resi d e nt
anytime or call the Donor Care team (02-773-7272).
Esther Nyakong, 17, has focused on her studies
We hid under the seats until help arrived and the
© UNHCR
UNHCR Korea’s official website, or through the simplified year-
Incheon Mokhyang Elementary School Thank you for
extending a warm hug to the earthquake victims in Nepal.
Emergency Response donors
T h a n k y o u fo r
participating in the Syria Emergency Response to assist in the
GSFA in DIMIGO Thank you to Korea Digital Media High
School’s GSFA in DIMIGO for sending the proceeds from the
school event on the World Refugee Day.
Mirae-namu Day Care Center Thank you for providing
an education-sharing program for the children at the day care
center and donating the proceeds from the yard sale.
Mediterranean refugee crisis.
Thank You,
Summer Project Campaigners!
© UNHCR
UNHCR is looking for passionate young
people to join us in our fundraising campaign.
15 We thank the 18 campaigners for their hard work and enthusiasm
Please scan the QR code on the right to learn
during this unusually hot summer.
more about our Project Campaigners.
Quiz on Refugees
Quiz on Refugees with Hanan, an 11-year-old refugee girl
Quiz 1
My family and I fled our home country
due to imminent danger and now are living in
neighboring Lebanon. I heard that there are
more than 4 million refugees like us living in
other countries. This is almost half the population of
Seoul. Where am I from?
① Syria ② Germany ③ USA ④ Japan
© UNHCR
Korean Crossword Puzzle
Quiz 2
Across 1. Known to be the ‘biggest humanitarian tragedy of the 21st century,’ the ongoing five-year
2
3
1
civil war in this country has resulted in more than 4 million refugees since 2011.
국
4. The official name of UNHCR in Korean, a United Nations agency mandated to protect and
support refugees.
내 전
6
긴
8
7. One of the Goodwill Ambassadors of UNHCR. A former refugee from Afghanistan and the
9
bestselling author of The Kite Runner and And the Mountains Echoed. (Last name)
급
4
8. One of your parents, but not your mother.
5
Down
7
2. The Global Special Envoy of UNHCR and Hollywood actress. (First name)
3. People who are forced to flee their home but who remain within their country's borders.
Unlike refugees, they have not crossed an international border. There were a lot of these peo-
난
ple in Korea during the Korean War.
민
6. One of UNHCR’s important duties, involving response to crisis such as sudden conflicts
상
and natural disasters. UNHCR Emergency ______ Team mobilizes trained personnel and provides necessary relief items and services in the areas within 72 hours.
8. A Central Asian state saddling the eastern parts of the Iranian highland. In 1996, the
Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist group, ousted the weakened incumbent government, took
control of the capital, Kabul, and established the Islamic State. The US-led war in this country
since 2001 has caused a lot of refugees, and 1.5 million refugees are living in neighboring Pakistan.
9. A sea bordered by three continents—Europe, Asia, and Africa. These days, a great number
© UNHCR
I can solve
the quiz myself!
of refugees and migrants cross this sea to reach Europe. (Hint: 6-7 pages in the newsletter)
We will send a small gift to the readers who submit a picture of their correct answers via text message (1666-5147).
(You can participate in either quiz or both.)
Tel 02-773-7272 | Email [email protected] | Homepage www.unhcr.or.kr | Blog blog.naver.com/unhcr_korea
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Address 7F, Kumsegi Building, 6 Mugyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
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