Discussion Guide for
Refugee Children of a Shattered East After viewing “Refugee Children of a Shattered East,” use this guide to research the issues surrounding refugees and displaced persons, reflect on how the video impacted you, recall what you learned, respond in tangible ways, reach out with life-changing help, resolve to follow God’s Word, and rely on His goodness and power.
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T H E 1 9 5 1 REFUGEE C O NV ENT IO N, which established the United Nations
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Refugee Agency, defines a refugee as someone who “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.” (Source: UNHCR, Refugees: Flowing Across Borders)
“ UNL IK E R EFUGEES, IDPS [internally displaced people] have not crossed an
international border to find sanctuary but have remained inside their home countries. Even if they have fled for similar reasons as refugees (armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations), IDPs legally remain under the protection of their own government — even though that government might be the cause of their flight. As citizens, they retain all of their rights and protection under both human rights and international humanitarian law.” (Source: UNHCR, Internally Displaced People: On the Run in Their Own Land)
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“ T H E N UM B ER O F R EFUGEES O F C O NC ER N to UNHCR stood at 10.5 million
refugees at the beginning of 2009, down 8 percent from a year earlier.… [Refugees] live in widely varying conditions, from well-established camps and collective centres to makeshift shelters or living in the open. Most are in rural settings, but the number of urban refugees is growing. They all face three possible solutions: repatriation [returning home]; local integration [into the community that has hosted them as refugees] or resettlement [to a third country, such as the United States, due to unsafe conditions at home and in their host country].” (Source: UNHCR, Refugee Figures) E IGHT Y P E R C ENT O F R EFUGEES are women and children. (Source: UNHCR, Refugee Figures) E V IDE N C E INDIC AT ES T HAT R EFUGEE A ND IDP C A MPS are often recruiting
grounds for child soldiers because of the convenient concentrations of children who have limited protection in these zones and often very few chances to go to school. NE A R LY T WO -T HIR DS O F T HE WO R LD’S R EFUGEES are in the Middle East
and Africa. Although refugee flows are widespread, a handful of countries are the primary source. Half of all refugees come from three sources: Palestine, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Also on the list of the 10 leading sources of refugees are Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Yugoslavia, Angola, Croatia, and Eritrea. (Source: UNHCR, Refugee Figures) C O UN T R IE S WHO HAV E SIGNED the 1951 Refugee Convention are obligated to
adhere to the principle of non-refoulment, which means that “no country may deport or expel a person to a country where that person faces persecution, or risk of serious human rights violations.” (Source: Amnesty International Canada, Who Is a Refugee?) “ O F T H E 1 0 .5 MILLIO N R EFUGEES of concern to UNHCR around the world, only about 1 percent are referred by the agency for resettlement.” (Source: UNHCR, Resettlement) IDE A L LY, R EFUGEES SHO ULD B E A B LE T O R ET UR N home safely and with
dignity. However, returning home comes with many challenges, such as rebuilding homes and livelihoods, reconciling with those who stayed behind, overcoming difficulties such as landmines and land ownership disputes, and living with the trauma of conflict and loss.
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Reflect HO W DO Y O U R E AC T and respond when you hear about crises that have forced
thousands of people to leave their homes? Do you think people respond differently to new or sudden crises than to ongoing ones? If so, what effect might our attitude toward conflict have on its resolution and the people it has displaced? W H AT DO C HIL DR EN NEED IN O R DER to live healthy lives, physically, mentally, and
spiritually? How do violence, war, and fear of persecution affect their opportunity to live healthy lives?
F O R R E F UGE E S , A ND MA NY INT ER NA LLY displaced people, fleeing to a place of
refuge can mean living in crowded camps, not knowing the local language, having little to no resources, and being separated from their families. What would be your first step in this situation? Who would you turn to?
Recall W H AT A R E T HE L IV ING C O NDIT IO NS where Fawaz and his family now live
in Jordan?
NINE -Y E A R -O L D FAWA Z WA S K IDNA PPED for a $10,000 ransom, held in a solitary
room for three weeks, and tormented by his captors. What was the interviewer’s impression of this young boy as he told his personal story? What changes had Fawaz’s family noticed in his behavior since the incident? How did Fawaz talk about his future and about returning to Iraq?
A C C O R DING T O THE V IDEO , what do refugee and internally displaced children like
Fawaz need most in order to begin recovering from the tragedy and personal horror they have experienced?
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W IT H R E GA R D T O T HE C R ISES in this region, what grabs attention in the global news
headlines? Do we hear about these children and their families? What impact does a media focus have on children’s futures?
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DE C R E A S ING B UDGET S FO R A ID combined with negative public opinion about
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immigration issues mean the number of refugees resettled in developed countries does not keep pace with the demand. Why do you think this is? What are some of the pro and con arguments you have heard? What can and should be done to change this situation?
O R GA NIZ AT IO NS T HAT HELP R EFUGEES resettle in the United States and
other countries rely on volunteer assistance. Consider contacting organizations such as the International Rescue Committee (www.theirc.org) to find ways you can offer invaluable assistance and friendship. Discuss as a group how you can reach out to the refugee community in your area.
Reach Out Consider making a difference in the following ways:
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PA RT IC IPATE IN WO R LD R EFUGEE DAY on June 20. B E C O M E E D UC AT ED A B O UT R EFUGEES and internally displaced people. To
get started, visit www.unhcr.org (the United Nations Refugee Agency). UNHCR has a wealth of information about refugee and IDP policy, history, and current crises around the world. A DV O C AT E O N B EHA LF O F R EFUGEES and internally displaced people. Visit
www.worldvisionresources.com and click on “programs and events.” S P O N S O R A C HILD T HR O UGH WO R LD V ISIO N. For just about $1 a day,
you’ll provide him or her with access to critical basics, such as clean water, improved nutrition, healthcare, and education. Your gifts can make a world of difference for one child and his or her family and community. For sponsorship information, visit www.worldvisionresources.com and click on the “sponsor a child” icon.
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Resolve » » »
F O R T HE L O R D IS a God of justice. —Isaiah 30:18 T H E L O R D WAT C HES O V ER T HE A LIEN [foreigner] and sustains the fatherless
and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. —Psalm 146:9
“ B L E S S E D AR E T HE PO O R IN SPIR IT, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 5:3-10
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F INA L LY, BE ST R O NG IN T HE LO R D and in his mighty power. Put on the full
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HE W IL L W IPE EV ERY T EA R FR O M T HEIR EY ES. There will be no more death
armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. —Ephesians 6:10-12
or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. —Revelation 21:4
Rely PRAY THAT:
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T H E P L IGH T O F R EFUGEE and internally displaced children and their families will
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P E A C E W IL L C O ME T O R EGIO NS devastated by conflict, war, famine, and
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R E F UGE E S A ND INT ER NA LLY DISPLA C ED PEO PLE currently living in
be raised up and that the international community, governments, policymakers, and individuals like us will respond.
disease. Pray for reconciliation between groups who have been in conflict for generations.
camps, slums, or other areas will receive what they need physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Pray that those resettling in new countries will encounter people willing and able to help meet their needs as they adjust to a new place and life.
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About World Vision W O R L D V IS IO N is a Christian humanitarian organization
dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. We see a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World Vision is unique: We bring 60 years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Partnering with World Vision provides tangible ways to honor God and put faith into action. By working, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families who are struggling to overcome poverty. To find out more about how you can help, visit www.worldvision.org.
About World Vision Resources E NDING GL O B A L PO V ERT Y and injustice begins with education:
understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world. World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision. World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world.
For more information about our resources, contact: World Vision Resources Mail Stop 321 P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063-9716 Fax: 253-815-3340 wvresources@worldvision.org www.worldvisionresources.com
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