On 19th January 2017, 25 students of SP Jain’s undergraduate batch visited the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ Dubai Main Office in the MENA region. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people.
As the students arrived at the international humanitarian centre, they were welcomed by the UNHCR official representative, Ms. Shahed Qamhiyeh, to be briefed about the history, growth, operations and responsibilities that the UNHCR undertakes. The UNHCR operations are based within 10 minutes of the Jebal Ali port and the airport, which allows them to cater to two-thirds of the world within just 8 hours. During the seminar, the students were given facts and figures to emphasise the number of refugees and displaced people in the world. For example, as of now, 65.3 million people are forcibly displaced from their home, half of whom re below the age of 18 - 53% of these come from Somalia, Afghanistan and Syria.
After the 45-minute briefing, the students were then taken to the stockpiles of UNHCR. At the end of the trip most of the students walked out with an instant interest in humanitarian. As said by the Prime Minister of UAE, “Kind words do not help those in need, actions do.”
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS:
“Going to UNHCR was one of the best things that I have done in Dubai. Not only have I gained an insight for the outside world but it also made me more responsible and respectful for the people who suffer in the war logged areas. I would like to help the refugees as and when I have the opportunity” – Student, BBA..
“Just an appreciation for how proper planning and logistics can make a huge impact on how quickly and how well crises can be handled.” – Student, BEC.