This Thursday, several monuments and emblematic buildings of the Atlántico and the district of Barranquilla during the commemoration of World Day of Refugees and Displaced Persons.
The department joined the global ‘Blue Night’ initiative as a show of solidarity towards those who have had to flee their homes in search of protection. In the municipality of Luruaco, the Municipal Palace was dressed in blue and, in Usiacurí, the church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán.
In Barranquilla, the monuments and buildings that participated in this initiative were the Ventana de Campeones, the Fluvial Municipality, the Cathedral of the Plaza de la Paz and the Plaza de la Aduana.
Within the framework of the celebrations, the Festival of Culture and Entrepreneurship “A Possible World” is also planned, which will take place in the Plaza de la Paz theater, this Saturday, June 22, starting at 3:00 p. m
World Day of Refugees and Displaced Persons, commemorated on June 20, 2001, offers an opportunity to honor the courage, resistance and determination of those who have been forced to leave their countries of origin due to conflict, persecution or violations of rights. human rights.
It is an occasion to raise awareness about the difficult situations faced by refugees and remember the importance of protecting their fundamental rights.
“Participating in ‘The Blue Night’ is a way for the Atlantic to tell the world that we do not forget refugees and displaced people. Each blue light represents a story of resilience, courage and hope,” said Susana de León, coordinator of the Migrant Population and Returned Colombians of the Atlántico Governorate.
In turn, Borja Santamaría, head of the UNHCR Sub-Office in the Caribbean region, indicated that “illuminating our city blue is a symbolic but powerful way to show our solidarity with the people who have been forced to flee.”
He emphasized that this date “reminds us that the city of Barranquilla and the entire department of Atlántico, as an open-door city and department that they have proven to be throughout their history, must continue to welcome and provide support to those who need it most.”
It is estimated that there are around 120 million people in the world who have had to forcibly leave their homes. In Colombia, according to Migración Colombia 2024, there are around 2.8 million refugees and migrants from Venezuela, and around 8.6 million victims of displacement from the internal armed conflict according to figures according to the Comprehensive Care and Reparation Unit for Victims. .
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