Algiers, June 20, 2011 (SPS) - “More than eighty percent of the 43 million refugees worldwide are living in developing countries,” Representative of UNHCR in Algiers, Mr. Abdelkrim Ghoul indicated on the eve of the World Refugee Day’s celebration, which is observed on June 20 each year.
In a statement, Mr. Ghoul said that "More than 80 percent of the refugees around the world are living in developing countries,” noting that during “1950s most world’s refugees were in Europe.”
“The host countries treat refugees humanely and provide them with protection,” he said, adding "this humanism is rooted in the cultures of these countries."
“Today, there are 43 million refugees worldwide, some of them are long term refugees" the UN official revealed, citing the Sahrawi refugees that last for more than 35 years.
Mr. Ghoul underlined that the case of the Saharawi refugees is one of the oldest in the world, recalling that they fled their country in 1975-1976.
On other hand, the UN representative welcomed the action of the government and people of Algeria, saying “the Algerian Red Crescent (ARC) has been providing humanitarian aid to the Sahrawi refugees since 1975.”
“Since 1986, the international community provided humanitarian aid to Sahrawi refugees,” he said, recalling the role of UNHCR, which provides general coordination for the implementation of humanitarian aid programs.
He finally emphasized that the UNHCR “provides protection and humanitarian aid to refugees in the world in line with the 1951 International Convention on the protection of refugees worldwide.” (SPS)
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