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In 2008, Refugee Week will be held from Sunday, June 15 to Sunday, June 21. This will coincide with World Refugee Day - Friday, June 20, 2008. In Australia, the national theme for Refugee Week 2008 is "A Place to Call Home".
When we think of refugees we traditionally think of people who have been forced to leave their home as a result of conflict, injustice, or persecution. But in today’s world we are increasingly seeing thousands upon thousands of people forced to leave their homes because of the impacts of climate change. Increased droughts, desertification, rising sea levels, along with the more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events, is creating a ‘climate refugees’ crisis around the world. This is a new phenomena and one which the international community is being forced to address as a matter of urgency.
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Experts warn India against environmental refugees
Research says India would face serious consequences due to environmental refugees in the next 50 years. Around 30 million refugees will be triggered by the rise in sea level, erosion and effects on soil fertility due to climate change.
Merinews, May 23, 2008
UN says conflicts, hardships create new refugees
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, warns extreme poverty, climate change and civil strife are generating more refugees around the world. He says the growing number of refugees and migrants is leading to more intolerance and xenophobia.
Voice of America, May 21, 2008
Refugee issues – long way to go
The Rudd Government’s decision to abolish Temporary Protection Visas (TPV) has been welcomed by refugee advocates, but there are still many areas of concern for asylum seekers, they say.
The Epoch Times, May 20, 2008
Sinking Without Trace: Australia’s Climate Change Victims
Like Kiribati and Tuvalu, the islands of the Torres Strait are slowly being submerged. But unlike their Pacific neighbours, the plight of their inhabitants is being overlooked.
The Independent/UK, May 5, 2008
What do we do about climate change migrants?
If you are forced to flee abroad because of war you will be recognised as a refugee under international law. But what happens if you’re forced to move because your village disappears under rising sea levels caused by global warming?
Reuters, May 2, 2008
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Nowhere to run from nature
Norman Myers, a world renowned British environmentalist and authority on biodiversity, forecast more than a decade ago that as the impact of climate change intensified, the number of people fleeing natural disasters could climb to at least 50 million by 2010. Now, as the world grapples with food shortages brought on in part by climate change, he is revising his figures upwards.
IRIN News, May 23, 2008
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Social Impacts of Climate Change
In a hotter and more volatile world both rich and poor stand to lose. Those already affected by poverty, malnutrition and disease will face new hardships. This web resource details the social impacts of climate change, nationally and globally, and outlines why we must take urgent action to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The site, which is a project of The Myer Foundation, Climate Action Network Australia, and Friends of the Earth Australia, includes a section which explores the increasing number of refugees and displaced people as a result of climate change.
www.cana.net.au
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When home gets too hot: climate change and human displacement
Desertification, risks of droughts and floods and rising sea levels could drive millions of people to migrate. A variety of organisations warn of mass migration of ‘environmental refugees’, ranging between 200 million and a billion people by 2050. The fear of environmental refugees has become a real political issue. Radio Netherlands Worldwide organised a debate on the interrelationship between climate change and refugees, which took place on May 22 in The Hague.
Download the audio of the debate (MP3 file, 40.2MB) download.omroep.nl
Download the address by Dr Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change www.rnw.nl (printed text) or download.omroep.nl/(MP3 file, 6.41MB)
Radio Netherlands, May 22, 2008
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An African Prayer for Refugees
O Brother Jesus, who as a child was carried into exile,
remember all those who are deprived of their home or country,
who groan under the burden of anguish and sorrow,
enduring the burning heat of the sun,
the freezing cold of the sea,
or the humid heat of the forest,
searching for a place of refuge.
Cause these storms to cease, O Christ.
Move the hearts of those in power
that they may respect the men and women
whom you have created in your image;
that the grief of refugees may be turned to joy,
as when you led Moses and your people out of captivity.
Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA
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PLEASE NOTE: LINKS TO EXTERNAL WEBSITES ARE NOT NECESSARILY
ENDORSED BY CARITAS AUSTRALIA. |
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Thank you
Thank you for the generous outpouring of support we have received for those affected by Cyclone Nargis in Burma and the Chinese Earthquake. Your donations have helped us enormously to help our local Church partners respond to these disasters.
 As each day passes we gain greater clarity on the magnitude of people's loss and where our help is most needed. But additional funds are still urgently needed to help the most vulnerable survivors. Please continue to give what you can and thank you once again for your support to date.
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A heartbroken man shares his story
As Caritas Australia continues to receive disturbing first hand reports from Burma cyclone survivors, the organisation has pledged to continue its support for the long term, Mr Jack de Groot, CEO of Caritas Australia, said yesterday.
A Catholic assessment team in Burma, which made contact with Caritas Australia recently, described the devastation still coming to light in Burma. More...
Caritas helps 60,000 cyclone survivors in Burma
The Caritas network has scaled up its emergency response in Myanmar despite ongoing difficulties with access for international aid teams.The international Caritas relief effort is now targeting over 60,000 people through local partners with food, temporary shelter, health care, and other aid items in four of the most seriously impacted areas. More...
World Youth Day 2008: Where faith and justice meet
World Youth Day is not only a title for a youth festival but a call to solidarity. With young people from around the world, it is an opportunity to think globally about social justice and the demands of human dignity. Caritas Australia has released its exciting program of activities at Customs House in July. More....
Calling on Volunteers
Do you want to help us Inspire, Educate and Empower youth in the fight against Global Poverty and Injustice?
Caritas Australia is looking for volunteers to assist with our World Youth Day program at Custom’s House in Circular Quay Sydney. More...
Climate Change Powerpoint
Caritas Australia has prepared a PowerPoint to highlight the plight of climate refugees in our world today. Great for School or Parish use. More....
PLEASE NOTE: LINKS TO EXTERNAL WEBSITES ARE NOT NECESSARILY ENDORSED BY CARITAS AUSTRALIA.
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Climate Refugees
