By Ncaba Ntshakala
At the World Refugee Day commemoration held at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre last Friday, the European Union (EU) representative Robert Adams reaffirmed EU’s dedication to refugee inclusion policies.
The commemoration event was attended by hundreds of refugees, asylum seekers, government officials, non-governmental organizations, and the diplomatic community, its theme was “Hope Away from Home: A World Where Refugees Are Always Included.”
“I am personally inspired by the theme for this year,” Adams began.
“This theme emphasizes the importance of inclusion and support for refugees, ensuring that they are welcomed and integrated into communities, allowing them to rebuild their lives with hope and dignity.”
Adams drew a poignant parallel between the arduous journey of refugees and the perseverance required in a marathon.
“As our refugee friends know all too well, integrating into a new country, into a new society, is a long and sometimes painstaking race.
Not a sprint, but rather a marathon. But will and strenuous efforts eventually take you to your destination,” he said, encouraging refugees to remain resilient in their pursuit of a better life.
He highlighted the inspiring story of Dominic Lobalu, a refugee athlete who recently won a gold medal in the 10,000 meters race at the European Athletics Championships in Rome for his adoptive country, Switzerland.
With over 110 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, Adams emphasized the EU’s steadfast commitment to upholding the right to seek and enjoy asylum, as enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
“The EU pledges its continued commitment to being the leader in humanitarian and development assistance,” he affirmed.
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“We will step up our efforts to ensure that the EU remains a place where refugees find protection and safety.”
The EU’s efforts extend beyond immediate aid, as they address the root causes of forced displacement through conflict prevention, resolution, and broader initiatives to enhance peace and security.
Adams expressed the EU’s special focus on protecting refugee children and ensuring their access to education and social activities, including sports.
In Eswatini, the EU Delegation has been instrumental in supporting refugee children.
Last year, the EU covered the outstanding school fees for 35 children from the Malindza refugee camp, enabling them to reintegrate into school.
“We are glad that this year we will not need to do this again,” Adams said, expressing gratitude to the Eswatini government for including refugee children in the free primary education scheme.
Adams also highlighted the participation of teenagers from the Malindza refugee camp in the EU Bushfire Schools Festival on May 30, 2024, and the EU’s donation of books to the camp.
“Tomorrow, we will screen a European movie at Malindza camp as part of the European Film Festival 2024,” he announced, where he emphasized the EU’s efforts to strengthen social inclusion for refugees in Eswatini.
Globally, the EU continues to improve the situation of millions of refugees and forcibly displaced persons caught up in conflicts or major humanitarian crises in countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela, Myanmar, Yemen, South Sudan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burkina Faso.
The EU provides life-saving aid, including food, shelter, education, healthcare, and livelihood support.
Adams noted the significant number of refugees the EU supports within its Member States, especially in light of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“Today, Member States are hosting around 4 million people from Ukraine under temporary protection, with more than half being women and children,” he said.
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The EU also provides protection and humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons in Ukraine and supports refugees from Ukraine in the Republic of Moldova.
Furthermore, he reflected on the perilous journeys undertaken by many refugees and made emphasis on the EU’s commitment to comprehensive action to prevent the loss of life and provide orderly and safe pathways for refugees.
“We are working with EU Member States and international partners on resettlement and complementary pathways that can help scale-up admission places from priority regions,” Adams concluded.
