On World Refugee Day, The Hub brings you an emotional conversation with Melissa Fleming, UN communications chief, and Doaa Al Zamel, a Syrian refugee whose story of resilience has inspired millions. 🕊️
When the Sea Swallowed Hope
Doaa’s voice trembled as she recalled fleeing Syria’s civil war: 'We thought the Mediterranean would be our escape route – instead, it became a graveyard.' Her 2014 shipwreck ordeal, where she saved a baby amid 300+ drowning victims, is now chronicled in Fleming’s book A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea, newly released in Chinese.
📱 Social Media: Double-Edged Sword
Fleming highlighted a modern challenge: 'Hate speech spreads faster than facts online, dehumanizing refugees.' She praised youth-led campaigns using TikTok and Instagram to share refugee stories – like @RefugeesOfNYC’s viral cooking videos bridging cultural gaps. 🍲✊
#NoBordersToEmpathy
Key takeaways from the discussion:
🌏 114 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide (UNHCR 2023)
📈 Misinformation about refugees surged 40% post-COVID
💡 Solutions: Education programs, corporate hiring initiatives, and 'digital allyship'
As Doaa told young audiences: 'Refugees aren’t statistics – we’re your future classmates, entrepreneurs, and neighbors.' Let’s rewrite the narrative. 💬✨
