Refugees are welcome

As the number of refugees passes 37.6 million (2023), we are now more aware of displaced people more than ever. And with growing calls to increase the refugee quota here, the church has a great opportunity to extend grace, manaakitanga and love to refugees arriving in Aotearoa New Zealand.

 ‘When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt.’
​Matthew 2:13-14 

Why do people become refugees?
They are forced to flee—from war and violence; from natural disasters; from religious persecution, political oppression, and ethnic injustice; from food crisis, drought, and famine. They have no choice but to leave behind their land, their homes, their belongings, and their sense of identity. They run in fear for their lives, either within their own country (internally displaced people) or to another country entirely (refugees). And the heaviest toll is felt by the children. 
- World Vision

Refugees by Numbers

Check out these most recent figures from the United Nations Refugee Agency (updated 1 July 2023)​

• 117.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide at the end of 2023 as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order (NOTE: It was 82.4 million in 2020)
• 68.3 million are internally displaced people
• 37.6 million are refugees
• 6.9 million were asylum seekers
• 5.8 million are other people in need of international protection

• 73% originate from just five countries: Afghanisatan, Syrian Arab Republic, Venezuela, Ukraine, South Sudan.
• 39% hosted in five countries: Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey, Colombia, Germany, Pakistan.
• 47 million refugees are children (NOTE: 35 million in 2020)
• 2 million children were born as refugees (NOTE: 1 million in 2020)
• 1.2million refugees returned or were resettled (NOTE: 285,400 refugees in 2020)
• 75% are hosted in low- and middle-income countries
• 4.4 million stateless persons
• 69% hosted by neighbouring countries. 

Refugee Sunday Resources

The first Sunday in July is marked as Refugee Sunday in the Anglican Church and is a time to celebrate the contributions that refugees make, pray for their safety and offer our support. We have gathered some resources to help you learn, pray and serve your community. See more at Bible Explore

Lost Sheep
Jesus was a Refugee - get the book/graphics on the Lost Sheep website and you can watch the story being read here

'We're only human' — a song for Refugee Sunday by Tom Read

Reflective questions

• ​Do you know what a refugee is?
• Take some time together to research a definition that all ages can understand.
• Have you ever been a refugee? Do you know any refugees?
• How many refugees do you think there are in the world?
• Did you know that Jesus was a refugee?
• I wonder what it would be like to be a refugee?
• I wonder what we could do to help refugees?

Church Resources

• A video from We Welcome Refugees encouraging the church to respond
• Worship resources from CWS may help you profile Refugee Sunday in your worship services. Download here
• World Vision have some great ideas for a Refugee Sunday service, with Photos and images to use, refugee children profile cards, small group resources, background information for speakers. 
• ForRefugees — a video about how the churches in Greece are responding to the crisis​
• Refugee Highway resources
• World Vision is seeking to provide 'Child Friendly Spaces' for Syrian children, through their 40hour famine campaign and other fundraising. 

Refugees in New Zealand

• New Zealand refugee strategy
• Bishop Justin Duckworth's article on New Zealand's response to the refugee crisis