World Relief Commemorates World Refugee Day 2021

World Relief kicks off a series of week-long initiatives to recognize and support refugees at national and local levels to recognize World Refugee Day on June 20

June 18, 2021

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
(703) 388-6734

BALTIMORE, MD — In honor of World Refugee Day 2021, World Relief is spearheading several initiatives such as educational webinars and engaging fundraising activities to celebrate and support refugees throughout the week. World Refugee Day is an international holiday that is annually commemorated on June 20 and recognizes individuals who have fled from their home countries due to violence and oppression.

“World Refugee Day marks a time to celebrate the brave women, men and children who have risen to meet the many challenges presented by discrimination, violence and oppression, often exacerbated by extreme poverty, natural disasters and, now, COVID-19. They are an example of resilience, courage and fortitude,” said Scott Arbeiter, president of World Relief. “As we focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution, World Relief’s community is committed to helping those striving to rebuild their lives and make America their home.”

To celebrate this year’s World Refugee Day, World Relief Durham co-hosted a webinar focused on practical ways to get involved with serving refugees in the Triad, North Carolina area with Love Out Loud, the National Immigration Forum, and the Evangelical Immigration Table. World Relief Fox Valley is hosting a prayer walk in downtown Appleton, Wisconsin. World Relief Spokane is celebrating by partnering with immigrant artist Jiemei Lin to create limited edition art t-shirts to support refugee resettlement in the Spokane area. In the Seattle, Spokane and Tri-Cities area of Washington, World Relief also organized the Century Challenge to raise funds that are helping newly-arrived refugee and asylee families as they bravely start a new life and integrate into the community in the Pacific Northwest.

After the drastic reduction in refugee admissions over the last four years, World Relief looks forward to partnering with the Biden administration to welcome more refugees this year under the recently increased refugee ceiling of 62,500. Now, as World Relief urges the administration to honor their original commitment of 125,000 in the year to come, we enter into a significant moment in America in which we invite local churches and other community partners to help rebuild our capacity to welcome, love and support these brave families. World Relief is eager and ready to welcome more refugees in 2021 and invites volunteers, businesses and churches to join us in welcoming these newcomers and celebrating their unique and vibrant cultures. Every action counts in the effort to build safe and welcoming communities of love.

“As refugees begin to rebuild their homes and lives, World Relief invites the local church and volunteers to partner with us in helping families find housing, learn English, pursue employment, build friendships and create long-term support systems,” said Tim Breene, CEO of World Relief. “As a nation, we can continue to be a beacon of light and hope for those fleeing persecution in this world and offer the love of Christ to the most vulnerable among us.”

Since 1979, World Relief has played a crucial role in helping to resettle nearly 300,000 refugees in America and served roughly 125,000 other immigrants. This past year, despite the challenges presented by COVID-19 and many field locations transitioning to remote services, our offices remained committed to helping new immigrants thrive by providing vital services and building communities of love and welcome. World Relief resettled more than 1,400 refugees in 2020 and also came alongside asylum seekers and other immigrants in the transition to life in the U.S., providing legal services, language aid and help finding employment and housing.

Download a PDF version of this press release, click here.

About World Relief

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.