“How long do refugees live in camps?”

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, recently participated in Copenhagen Culture night, an annual event during which organizations, public offices, companies and cultural venues open their doors to the public for an entire Friday night.

The UNHCR “Refugee area” in UN City drew a large crowd with people interested to learn more on life in a refugee camp, resettlement and the Rohingya crisis.

“Many of the visitors wanted to know more on UNHCR’s resettlement program, and wanted to discuss the Danish government’s halt on resettlement. It’s great to see that people are interested in these questions,” said Elisabeth Arnsdorf Haslund, UNHCR’s spokesperson for Denmark.

“Resettlement is a very important priority on our agenda, and UNHCR is worried about the Danish government’s decision, calling for Denmark to resume its resettlement program,” she added.

The UNHCR team at Culture Night gave the visitors the possibility of experiencing a refugee Family Tent, equipped with all the authentic relief items such as blankets, mats, kitchen supplies, and solar lamps.

“It’s difficult for people to imagine the practicalities of life in a refugee camp, so seeing and experiencing the actual tent gives people a more comprehensive understanding. The visitors were curious about the supplies, and they were surprised to learn that refugees spend years living in these tents,” said Elisabeth Arnsdorf Haslund.

The refugee area in UN City also displayed a biometric registration booth, where the visitors could learn more about the importance and process of refugee registration. The area also showcased how various agencies of the UN work together in refugee camps. WFP, World Food Programme, was present with their food items and nutrition bars, UNICEF with education kits and UN Development Programme with solar panels, to just name a few.

“This was truly an eye-opener. I wish all politicians and all Danes would see this film.”

One of the most popular experiences in the UNHCR-area throughout Culture Night was the possibility of “visiting” Za’atari Camp in Jordan, home to more than 80,000 Syrian refugees, through Virtual Reality “Clouds over Sidra” film. The film, through 360 degrees view follows a 12-year old Syrian girl Sidra and her everyday life in one of the world’s largest refugee camp.

“This was truly an eye-opener. I wish, all politicians and all Danes would see this film,” said one visitor after the experience.

The current emergency on Rohingya refugees, fleeing Myanmar to Bangladesh, was equally asked about by the visitors to UN City.

“People have heard about it in the news, but wanted to learn more and understand what’s going on, and what is being done to help,” said Elisabeth Arnsdorf Haslund.

The Rohingya are a Muslim minority in Myanmar. The latest exodus began on 25 August 2017, when violence broke out in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, and since then more than half a million Rohingya have left their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring Bangladesh. To find out more about Rohingya crisis, visit UNHCR Rohingya emergency page.