We keep hearing about willful migrants, sinking boats, waterless deserts, muddy jungles, and many times we turn our heads in order not to see the pain or to ignore the issue entirely. The American Red Cross and International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are celebrating World Refugee Day in honor of those who were forced to leave their homes and seek asylum in other countries in order to live a better life.

If you had the chance to see the movie “The Swimmers” you would have learned about two young Syrian sisters whose dream of participating in the Olympics led them to evade the hostile ongoing civil war in their country to fight for the goal they had set for themselves in their short lives. When an urgency is present in our lives, we find ways to survive and live out our dreams even if it means seeking refuge in another country. These sisters boarded a dinghy overcrowded boat with migrants like themselves for a forty-five-minute ride to Greece. The weight of the passengers and the stalled boat produced distress and the unknown was ever so present. The two sisters decided to jump into the cold water and pull the loaded boat to shore with two other passengers who decided to help. After a three-hour swim, all arrived safely thanks to those four heroes. The initiatives these two sisters took led a larger group of human beings to survive and be able to seek refuge in a safe place.

These human focused and heroic initiatives are also mirrored in the Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations. The network set up by these organizations considers all human beings to be members of this country; therefore, ALL are to be assisted and cared for. During hardships of any kind the Red Cross and Red Crescent have “protected human life and health, ensured respect for all human beings, and prevented and alleviated human suffering.”

As you learn more about The Red Cross and Red Crescent you will see the support, they give to those in distress and families who are found in isolation. It is a “YES” community, it’s a solidarity enterprise. It is mainly and mostly comprised of devoted selfless volunteers focused on others and how they can help them. Like the Syrian sisters who went on to live a life helping other refugees the Red Cross too helps all that need a shoulder to lean on.

Do consider your option to see the pain, to see the suffering, to see the unimaginable effort fostered by asylum seekers, refugees and migrants who work hard for a better life. It is the solidarity in all aspects of this word that will make this world a better place for all. 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Story By: Sue Hirschmann