Last week, we held our annual World Refugee Day event, raising funds for refugees to access sporting facilities. ABC sports reporter and broadcaster, Tracey Holmes hosted this year’s lunch. Guest speakers included Anyier Yuol, winner of the 2023 Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition, and Bendere Oboya, an Olympian who came to Australia as a young refugee. Thank you to all our donors and supporters who attended the event. You can read more about it here. In this edition, we introduce you to some of the nominees for the Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition. Read about their courageous journeys and the incredible work they are doing in their communities across Australia. As you may have seen in the news, Ukraine has suffered another blow with the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. More than 2,000 people have been evacuated, while hundreds of thousands now lack access to clean drinking water. With your help, UNHCR and our partner organisations are providing shelter and support for people like Svitlana who cannot return home due to risk of flooding and limited access to water and other essential services. Originally from Afghanistan, Asif Sultani was only seven years old when he was forced to flee to Iran due to ongoing conflict in his country as well as persecution of the Hazara people. In Iran, Asif continued to experience hardship through daily discrimination that threatened his safety. This threat led Asif to learn martial arts for self-defence, and as his abilities grew, he became increasingly passionate about the sport. When he arrived in Australia as an asylum seeker, martial arts helped him find his place in society. Read more about his remarkable journey.
Celebrating refugees in sport Last Thursday, we held our annual World Refugee Day event, raising vital funds for refugees to have access to sporting facilities. We heard from Anyier Yuol, winner of the 2023 Les Murray Award, and Bendere Oboya, an Olympian and former refugee.
The Changemakers This month, we introduce you to eight of the extraordinary nominees for the 2023 Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition. They have been recognised for their incredible work advocating on behalf of refugees.
Ukraine flood disaster Ukraine has suffered another blow with the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. More than 2,000 people have been evacuated, while hundreds of thousands now lack access to clean drinking water.
“Sport means everything to me.” After fleeing conflict in Afghanistan as a child, Asif Sultani searched for safety and belonging. He found both those things in martial arts.
Are you interested in fundraising for us and supporting refugees and displaced people around the world? Why not challenge yourself and sign up to The World's Largest Fun Run - City2Surf in August as part of Team UNHCR.
