World Refugee Day

Chechen Refugee Youth celebrates it in Pankisi

On June 20, 2003 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and United Nations Association of Georgia (UNAG) celebrated the World Refugee Day in Pankisi Gorge, Georgia.

Since the year 2000 the world celebrates the World Refugee Day (WRD); changing the theme of the event each day. The topic of this year celebration is Refugee Youth, Building the Future. The WRD was dedicated to their problems needs and expectations. The reason for devoting the day to youth is obvious, as according to UNHCR data for 20 million young people around the world the days of their youth are far from being glorious.

For the second year civil society celebrates the WRD in Georgia. This year UNHCR and UNA-Georgia planned to arrange one memorable day for those being out of their home country.

Whole day long youth of Duisi village (Pankisi Gorge) participated in sports competitions and enjoyed theatre presentations performed by “Fairytale Theatre” actors from Tbilisi. Participants and winners of the competitions received awards from the organizers; sweets and soft drinks were served for everyone attending the celebration.

Catherine Bertrand, UNHCR representative in Georgia, congratulated Chechen refugees with this day but said “It would be much better if there would not be occasion for celebrating the World Refugee Day;” Sadly however this day is far away as currently there are more than 22 million displaced persons in the world. “We are doing our best to make their life easier”- she added.

 “We would like to wish peaceful life to all the people of the world and especially refugees being here”. Dara Shekol Ahmed of UNHCR Akhmeta field office said at the ceremony. “Let every child always smile and return to their homeland as soon as possible” -he added.  

Despite the hard living conditions and social despair, children still attend the school and do not forget their cultural heritage. After the theatre presentation Chechen youth performed their national songs and dances.

“We are grateful of everyone who decided to arrange this day for our children. At least they could forget the problems for a short time” – one of the Chechen mothers from Pankisi told Advocacy.ge.

At the end of the day, refugee children launched thousands of balloons with post cards (with their names on the cards) in the air, hoping the balloons will reach their home country, informing their relatives, they are alive.

Celebration was supported by: the Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation of Georgia, Norwegian Refugee Council, Technical Assistance Georgia and civil society organization “Kakheti”.