(ANS - Rome) - World Refugee Day on 20 June is not an easy date to remember, but it touches one of the most critical issues facing humanity today. According to data from the United Nations   "there are over 22 million refugees worldwide.  The majority of them are women and children who have had to flee their countries because of intolerance and violence."  How does the Salesian Congregation respond to this situation?

It is a reality that has been part of the mission of the congregation since its inception: Don Bosco paid particular attention to young migrants from outside the city of Turin. He not only welcomed them and educated them, but also went in search of them, in the streets, in shops and on the building sites of the city.

In 2014, the celebration of World Refugee Day sees the Salesian Congregation and its collaborators working in a significant way with migrants and refugees in many countries, especially in the third world. The United Nations today considers it essential to "protect refugees, support them in restarting their lives so that they can return to their countries of origin, and accompany and help them to be integrated in countries where they are welcomed."  Examples of specific initiatives in these areas are:

In the context of refugee protection, Kakuma, Kenya is typical. The Salesian Congregation is the only institution that is "inside" the camp accompanying the refugees, providing medical care, education and social development, especially among young people.  There is a parish with a school and an oratory.

In the search for durable solutions to enable refugees to rebuild their lives in a normal environment, the Mission Offices and volunteers work together with the Salesians to bring together young people who are separated from their families, rescuing them from the extreme situations of social exclusion that lead to slavery. Among the various initiatives in India, in New Delhi, there are the "youth clubs" that engage in ransoming young people from inhumane conditions of employment, through work training and games. In addition, the Salesians welcome displaced families that have  escaped the violence in Syria, in Bangui (Central African Republic) and in many other countries around the world.

It is difficult for refugees to move and settle in another country. The Salesians in Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain and elsewhere are working through many different initiatives in existing educational establishments and new structures created specifically to provide these services.

The Salesians have many other initiatives on behalf of vulnerable peoples that are not mentioned here. Sadly, because of wars, their number continues to increase. According to the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid the number of refugees being helped by the Salesians throughout the world comes to over 400,000 people.

Published 19/06/2014