Emtithal Mahmoud
Because sometimes, the city collapses, and the rubble keeps bleeding
Sometimes, your blood is the only thing you can carry with you,
Sometimes, the water is more inviting than where you stand
That’s how you end up with little kids washed up on foreign soil
And I’m not just talking about the ones who make it
About Emi
Sudanese-American slam poet Emi Mahmoud added her voice to our #WithRefugees campaign film alongside other fellow high profile supporters, refugees and UNHCR staff from around the world.
Emi is encouraging her friends, family and fans to get behind the campaign and sign the petition. She travelled to Lesvos, Greece to speak with refugees who have made the perilous crossing from Turkey. Whilst there, she performed a poem in honor of Alan Kurdi to help spotlight so many of the people who have lost their lives seeking safety from conflict and persecution.
Ahead of a historic Summit on refugees and migrants at the UN General Assembly in September 2016 the #WithRefugees campaign calls on world leaders to act in solidarity and take shared responsibility in their response to the global refugee crisis. Emi will be with UNHCR attending the UN General Assembly petition hand in in New York September 2016. She will also be performing one of her own poems at the Nansen Awards this October to honour the winners from Greece. You can watch videos on their incredible work with refugees here (Efi) and here (HRT). There is also more information on the award and this year’s winners here.