Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Indonesia has launched a social media campaign ahead of the celebration of World Refugee Day on Monday, June 20.
The initiative seeks to gather messages of support by asking people on Facebook to post a photo of themselves alone or with friends holding a personal statement of encouragement for people who have been displaced because of war, natural disaster or prejudice and oppression in their home countries.
“JRS Indonesia and friends wanted to do something that would not only raise awareness of refugees and their situation, but would also encourage people to stand in solidarity with them,” said Lars Stenger, National Information and Advocacy Officer, JRS Indonesia.
By encouraging people to post messages of solidarity with refugees on Facebook, JRS Indonesia hopes to remind people all over the world about those driven from their homes by conflict and persecution, he added.
In the four days since the campaign was launched on the JRS Indonesia Facebook page on June 10, they have seen an encouraging response.
“They deserve a better life, just like you,” wrote Chrispina Maria Gracia while the JRS Bogor team drew a colourful message that reads, “No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.”
The campaign continues throughout the month of June, and all are welcome to participate.
To share a message for #WorldRefugeeDay, simply follow the steps below:
1. Write your message on a piece of paper. Don’t forget to put the hashtag #WithRefugees
2. Take a photo of yourself (alone or with some friends) holding up that piece of paper.
3. Make sure your message is readable when people look at your photo.
4. Send the photo to JRS Indonesia’s Facebook page inbox or email it to refuge@jrs.or.id.
To learn more about JRS Indonesia and support its work, visit http://jrs.or.id/en/campaign/support-our-work/.
More information on World Refugee Day can be found in the UNHCR website: www.unhcr.org/refugeeday
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