UNHCR invites Thai public to step in solidarity with refugees in “2 Billion Kilometres to Safety” Campaign.
© UNHCR/Somkiat Jaraspat
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today launched its new global campaign in Thailand, calling on people to cover the distance travelled by refugees each year.
The 2 Billion Kilometres to Safety campaign encourages people to support refugees by championing individual acts of solidarity. These acts, when taken together, acknowledge the resilience and strength of refugees.
UNHCR traced the journeys of refugees around the world and calculated that collectively, people forced to flee travel approximately two billion kilometres every year to reach the first point of safety. In 2016, Syrian refugees travelled more than 240 kilometres to reach Turkey. South Sudanese refugees travelled more than 640 kilometres to reach Kenya and Rohingya refugees in Myanmar travelled approximately 80 kilometres to reach Bangladesh.
The 2 Billion Kilometres to Safety campaign invites people to act in solidarity and run, walk or cycle to achieve a cumulative total of two billion kilometres. Participants can use their fitness apps or the campaign website – www.unhcr.or.th – to log the kilometres and contribute to a global total.
In Thailand, UNHCR introduced the campaign with a “2 Billion Kilometres to Safety” charity run to be held on Sunday 16 June in order to commemorate World Refugee Day on 20 June. The charity run is the first in a series of events organised by UNHCR’s corporate partners to accumulate the distance covered by Thai people and contribute to the campaign to show solidarity with refugees worldwide.
“Running, walking and cycling are well accepted in Thailand. This campaign will encourage Thai people to support refugees through something they are already doing,” said Giuseppe de Vincentiis, UNHCR Representative in Thailand. “At a time of record high global displacement, it is vital that we remind ourselves of the real and dangerous journeys they are forced to take.”
Thailand is one of 27 countries across Africa, Asia, Central and North America, Europe and the Middle East taking part in the campaign, including individuals, celebrity supporters, refugees and UNHCR personnel.
“Refugees do not have a choice and must take dangerous journeys to seek safety for their own lives and those of their loved ones’,” says UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Praya Lundberg. “To show solidarity with refugees, I will start by running at the 2 Billion Kilometres Charity Run to step with refugees and ask all Thais to join me.”
The “2 Billion Kilometres to Safety Charity Run” will be held on Sunday 16 June 2019 on Rajdamnern Nok Avenue. Tickets are available at 550 and 1,000 Baht and can be purchased at www.unhcr.or.th. All proceeds will go to support refugees with registration and reception services, food and water, shelter, basic aid, healthcare and psychological support.
UNHCR offers its thanks to the 2 Billion Kilometres to Safety Charity Run and Campaign’s corporate partner Ari.
*2 Billion Kilometres to Safety Series in Thailand in 2019
Join this global effort and make every step count for refugees. Sign up today to start adding your kilometres and find out how you’ll be making a difference. www.unhcr.or.th
#WithRefugees
#StepwithRefugees
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
