Global Refugee Crisis

　Today,/Emma, Ryo and Yui will take turns/presenting what they studied/concerning the refugee crisis.//
　All over the world,/some people have to make the most difficult decision/in their lives:/to leave home/in search of a safer, better life.// Refugees are people/who flee their own country,/for example,/because of serious human rights violations and persecution.// Often,/they face other difficult circumstances/like hunger,/extreme poverty,/climate change and natural disasters.// They seek safety/outside their country/because it’s impossible for them/to return home.//
　We hope/today’s presentations will be a good introduction/for our discussions/in the next class.// Now,/let’s listen to the reports.// Emma,/please begin.//

　Look at this data.// There were 26 million refugees worldwide/in 2019.// More than 60% came/from just five countries:/Syria,/Venezuela,/Afghanistan,/South Sudan and Myanmar.// Furthermore,/1.4 million refugees were/in need of resettlement/but fewer than 1%/found a new home.//
　Now,/look at the map of the top 10 host countries.// I’m really sorry/that wealthier countries aren’t doing nearly enough/to share the cost of protecting people/who have left everything behind.//
　In short,/the world urgently needs a new, global plan/based on genuine international cooperation,/and a meaningful and fair sharing of responsibilities.//
　Thank you.// It’s your turn, Ryo.//

　In 2000,/the United Nations General Assembly/designated June 20th/to be World Refugee Day.//
　It’s a special day/to acknowledge the courage of refugees/as they fight difficulties.// It’s a day/to deepen understanding of their situation worldwide.// Many events are held/to enhance people’s understanding of refugees/and to consider/how to help them.// Sporting,/music,/art,/and learning events/are held in Japan, too.//
　Suppose you and your family were forced/to leave everything behind,/including your home,/pets,/and friends.// Imagine,/half of the world’s refugees are children!// What can we do/to ensure/that we have no refugees on earth?//
　Thanks.// Over to you,/Yui.//

　This story highlights the refugees’ plight,/their courage,/and the united efforts of many helpers.//
　In 2015,/a family left Iraq with their cat Kunkush/to escape from Islamic State forces.// They walked to reach a refugee smuggler/and left Turkey on a small boat/licensed to carry 25 passengers,/but actually carrying 60 people/to Lesbos Island in Greece.//
　Kunkush’s 4,000 kilometer adventure began/when he leapt out of his basket on Lesbos.// Refugee supporters worked hard/to find his family,/using flyers and the Internet.// Four months later,/Kunkush and his family were reunited in Norway.// Kunkush was not just a pet,/but a symbol of life/and hope for refugees.//
　The refugee crisis is not someone else’s business/but everyone’s.// Thank you.//