World Refugee Day

Let's Build Bridges and not Walls   

The crisis in our world has driven so many people away from their homeland. The huge number of homeless migrants and refugee in our world today is a clear indication that the world is on fire. Most countries, like America are building walls to prevent refugees from having direct access into their nations.  The plight and wellbeing of refugees is indeed a major challenge facing our world today. What these refugees are passing through is unimaginable!

Responding to this existential challenges, on December 4th 2000, UN declared June 20th as World Refugee Day. This day is meant to create awareness and to provide support for millions of families all over the world who have lost their homes and dear ones because of violence or war. The theme of 2017 world refugee day is “Embracing Refugees to celebrate our Common Humanity.

While people like Donald Trump of America are insisting on building walls, Pope Francis has consistently preached in favour building bridges, which entails accommodating one another, especially the refugees. “In the social and civil context as well, I appeal not to create walls but to build bridges...  To not respond to evil with evil. To defeat evil with good, the offence with forgiveness." 
Instead of building walls and trying to stop refugees from seeking asylum into ones country, the Holy Father has appealed to world leaders to open their borders to refugees and do everything humanly possible to assist them in their predicaments. 

Responding to those who are building walls, the Holy Father declares "anyone who wants to build a wall is “not Christian.” A true Christian must answer the following questions: When the Israelites experienced famine, and their father Jacob sent them to Egypt to buy food. If the Egyptians had built walls what do you think would have happened to the hungry sons of Jacob? Also when Herod wanted to kill the child Jesus his parents flee to Egypt for safety. Imagine what would have happened if the Egyptians had built walls and thereby denying them access into their land! 

In line with the Holy father, António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General described the support for refugee as a global responsibility... The root problems are war and hatred, not people who flee; refugees are among the first victims of terrorism." With this, therefore, the refugees are not to be blamed but to be pitied and supported since they are not directly responsible for their predicaments. 

Building of Walls against the refugees cannot solve our problem. Instead of walls we should  build bridges and do everything humanly possible to avert war, insurgencies and hunger which are the major factors that are driving people away from their homeland.  may God protect and provide for all the refugees in Jesus name - Amen!