As part of supporting refugees and international migrants, whilst showing solidarity with members of the West Papuan Community and the Rainbow West Papua Refugee Camp, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Migrants and Refugee Desk recently commemorated International Migrants Day with the theme; Honouring the contributions of Migrants and respecting their rights.
In a small but highly significant gathering, representatives of the CBC along with members of the refugee camp all gathered to witness the event, at the same time the CBC took the opportunity to official open new Wash facilities that were built to cater for the Community.
Ephraim Bavi, Migrants officer from the CBC Desk of Migrants and Refugees, expressed happiness for the work that was put in to bring together and officiated the handover of the wash facilities to the Refugee camp.
Speaking on behalf of the Director of the Migrants and Refugee Desk, Jason Siwat, Bavi stated that on the 18th of December every year, the world recognizes an important group of people that have been part of the making of many societies around the world throughout history.
“Migrants are people that move from one place or country to another. Migration is as old as human reality itself.”
“Nowadays people migrate for several reasons, whether for work, school or for business.”
“Others move for better opportunities for life and for their children. Whether due to the conditions within their own home country, or a path attracted by the destination country.”
He it is very important that society recognizes the role that migrants play in the economy and social life and that they also contribute to building the society that they live in.
Bavi said the theme for these years International Migrants Day reminds the people of PNG that they must recognize the values that migrants contribute to the country and society.