Philippe Leclerc, UNHCR Regional Director for Europe and Ritu Shroff, UNHCR Director of Strategic Planning and Results, share a joyful moment with Ukrainian refugee children at World Vision's Happy Bubble educational center in Bucharest, during their visit to Romania on the World Refugee Day. Bucharest, 21 June 2024 Photo: ©UNHCR/ Ioana Moldovan
This week, events and activities of solidarity were held across the world to mark World Refugee Day on Thursday, 20 June. In Bucharest, UNHCR Regional Director for Europe, Philippe Leclerc, joined the commemorations across the city.
“Now, more than ever, as we witness an ever-growing number of conflicts and crises globally, forcing people from their homes, political will is needed to end conflicts and find solutions that would allow refugees to return home in safety and dignity. Until then, we call on everyone to take action to show your solidarity, in whatever small way that may be,” said Leclerc.
Leclerc visited a mural designed and conceptualized by a dozen refugee and local youth, and painted by local artist Wanda Hutira, part of the multicultural festival organized by UNHCR partner, ActivRandom. He then met with refugees at RomExpo, an integrated service hub, and spoke with refugees who have benefitted from the support provided there, including cash assistance, psychosocial aid and counselling, access to health care, job matching, education, and other critical help. He also visited UNHCR’s partner World Vision livelihoods and economic inclusion project and ‘Happy Bubble’ Educational Centre for kids.
Iosif Prodan from ActivRandom, telling the story of the mural inaugurated on the World Refugee Day. Starting from the word solidarity, refugee and Romanian teenagers created the concept for the painting done by local artist Wanda Hutira in Bucharest, Romania, as part of the wider ActivRandom ArtStart project supported by UNHCR. Bucharest, 20 June 2024. Photo: ©UNHCR/ Ioana Moldovan
Romania is currently hosting more than 80,000 refugees from Ukraine, who were forced to flee. Following the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, the people and Government of Romania opened their doors to those fleeing, and worked closely with UNHCR and partners to ensure their needs were met.
Since then, efforts to enhance the socioeconomic inclusion of refugees have gone from strength to strength. In Romania, the online job platform ‘Jobs for Ukraine’, with the support of UNHCR, has been exemplary in matching the skills and capacities of refugees to the needs of the labour market and private sector companies across the country. In 2023 alone, 6,500 refugees have received employment support, while referrals are carried out to language service providers and childcare provided for those seeking employment opportunities.
“Refugees want opportunities, not handouts. They bring skills, qualifications and creative ideas. When given the chance, they make significant contributions to host communities and economies,” said Leclerc. “This online platform is an example of just that – engaging with the private sector to provide people with opportunities – while simultaneously filling labour gaps and benefitting the national economy” he added.
While meeting with national authorities and civil society, he stressed the urgent need for continued solidarity for all those forced to flee their homes, no matter where they come from, and highlighted the exemplary efforts of both the government and the local people in welcoming and ensuring the inclusion of refugees in society.
He expressed gratitude for the ongoing cooperation in the response for refugees from Ukraine, and reiterated UNHCR’s renewed commitment towards continued cooperation. He also discussed with Ambassadors in the country about the current regional refugee response and the ongoing support urgently needed.
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