“Hope Away From Hope” Exhibition

This morning, the Belmopan City Council and UNHCR hosted a market day exhibition in recognition of World Refugee Day. The exhibition featured hand-made goods and fresh produce from refugees and asylum seekers in Belize. UNHCR Belize is celebrating World Refugee Day under the theme “Hope Away from Home”. We heard from Aida Escobar, the Senior Public Information Assistant at UNHCR Belize on today’s event.

Aida Escobar

Aida Escobar, Senior Public Information Assistant, UNHCR

“World Refugee Day is highlighted by the United Nations and especially UNHCR, it is very important for us to highlight this day because refugees are persons that were forced to flee their homes because their lives were in danger. So, they were no longer safe in their home country so they had to find safety and flee in another country. In Belize, we have about four thousand refugees and asylum seekers which is a relatively small number compared to other parts of the world, but we have them coming from Central America and they are looking for hope away from home. They are looking for a new opportunity. For us it is important to highlight this day to let Belizeans know and the world knows that refugees didn’t have a choice. They had to flee. But, now that they are in another country and they found peace and safety they can give back to the country, they have skills and talents and they want to share. They are very grateful for the opportunity to start in a new place. We are so grateful for the Belmopan City Council, because you guys have partnered with us today.”