Global celebrities recount their own powerful refugee stories for UNHCR campaign

A new set of stories from high profile supporters are launched on UNHCR’s online campaign platform ahead of World Refugee Day, June 20.

These personal stories draw on a range of experiences from meeting refugees, to their own family experiences. Stories to be released include:

•  Actress Emma Thompson and her son Tindy Agaba recounting his first days in the UK as a refugee.
  
• Human rights campaigner Malala Yousafzai talking about a girl she met at Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan.
  
• American Actress Kristin Davis giving an emotional account of her time at Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya.
  
• Author Neil Gaiman talking about a doctor he met at Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan.
  
• War artist George Butler has shared a picture he painted of Syrian refugees fleeing in their car.
  
• Film Director Wes Anderson introducing a scene from his recent film The Grand Budapest Hotel.
  
• Actor David Morrissey talking about a Syrian refugee family he met in Jordan.
  

Other high profile supporters sharing stories include, author Henning Mankell, supermodel Alek Wek, author Marina Lewycka, marathon runner Guor Maker, broadcaster Emma Freud, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Khaled Hosseini, musician Maher Zain, architect Sir Richard Rogers, American actress and singer Kat Graham, UNICEF Ambassador Ewan McGregor, actress Diane Kruger and writer and illustrator Judith Kerr.

These videos follow the release of celebrity messages of support on June 2nd. To see all celebrity contributions to this year’s World Refugee Day, please go to: http://stories.unhcr.org/supporters/featured-supporters. To see all of the stories shared by refugees, journalists and members of the public please go to: http://rfg.ee/xgTSj

About World Refugee Day, June 20 2014

One World Refugee Day, June 20, UNHCR commemorates the strength and resilience of the millions of people around the world forced to flee their homes due to war or human rights abuses. In the past year unprecedented numbers of people are on the move.

This year UNHCR is asking people from all over the world to show their support for families forced to flee by sharing a refugee story. Members of the public can read, view and share refugee stories at http://stories.unhcr.org and also upload their own story.

Quotes for use

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Khaled Hosseini

“In my own life and through my work as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR I have witnessed the lengths that parents will go to, the sacrifices and decisions they are forced to make, to keep their children safe and to escape the threat of violence, persecution and the all too real horrors of war.  These parents, these children, are survivors.  Despite losing homes, livelihoods, often the people dearest to them, and the country they love, refugee families across the world show a resilience, a courage, a determination and a dignity that is truly inspiring.  This is the refugee story that the world should know.”

Broadcaster Emma Freud

“I am a 2nd generation refugee and was pleased when UNHCR asked me to share my family’s refugee story to mark World Refugee Day.  I think we all have a view of what a refugee is - but the term covers so many different stories and backgrounds.  Refugee backgrounds hold an invisible thread that connects many of us without knowing". Freud is the great granddaughter of Sigmund Freud, daughter of broadcaster and politician Clement Freud, and niece of artist Lucian Freud.

American Actress Kristin Davis

“My story for UNHCR's World Refugee Day storytelling project is about the remarkable and brave Haiwa, who moved and inspired me when I visited Dadaab refugee camp.  So often refugees are portrayed as victims, but she taught me about the incredible strength they possess.  I will never forget her."