Around the world international organizations,  governments and civil organizations look at how to improve the lot of the sixty-eight-and-a-half million forcible displaced people. That’e more than were driven from their homes by World War 2.

A third of these are Africans.

Every minute,  around the world, 20 people leave behind everything they own to escape war.

A third of them cross borders seeking shelter and safety.

More than half are displaced in their own countries.

South Africa is the new home to 88 000 refugees.

On June 20, the world looks at how best to deal with the plight of these people.

The Department of Home Affairs will be marking World Refugee Day with the the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, the Pan African Parliament and the African Peer Review Mechanism.

The post Every minute around the world 20 people abandon everything to escape war appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

Acting Director General of Home Affairs Thulani Mavuso says 6000 refugees have been given permanent status with the right to become full citizens.

Thulani Mavuso was speaking at the Pan African Parliament where executives of the African Peer Review Mechanism and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees join in a meeting to mark World Refugee Day.

The Acting Director General of Home Affairs read from former ANC leader Oliver Tambo’s 1986 speech to the Swedish Parliament chronicling the suffering of his people under apartheid and expressing gratitude for the assistance given by governments in the  fight against institutionalized racism.

Mavuso says Tambo realized that his emotions would resonate with those of Africans finding safety in South Africa today.  

The post Oliver Tambo’s gratitude for shelter during apartheid resonates with Africans who have found safety in democratic South Africa appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.