A poll by World Vision Taiwan revealed that 70% of respondents fear they could become refugees one day, and 60% are prepared to help refugees in other countries, either financially or through personal action.

The Yahoo poll was conducted to combine commemoration with research, coinciding with World Refugee Day on June 20.

Over 10,000 people answered the online poll in six days. While results revealed a limited awareness of the realities for refugees and displaced people, it also showed a strong concern and willingness to help.

Of the respondents, 86% answered they were unaware of World Refugee Day. However, about 40% were willing to support refugees financially, and another 20% were interested in personally participating in humanitarian response for refugees.

Remarkably, the under-30 age group accounted for 74% of those interested in personal involvement, indicating that Taiwan’s younger generation is concerned about global issues and ready to be involved at a higher level than financially.

Only 15% of all respondents said they would not consider giving any support at this moment.

The survey discovered that Taiwanese people are insecure about their own future. Nearly 70% think it is very likely or somewhat likely that Taiwanese people might become refugees. Despite, or perhaps because of, this pessimistic prospect, the majority were willing to help others in displacement situations.

With basic survival at the core of most human concerns, 69% said they thought food, clean water and shelter were the most important need of refugees. However, 7% were most concerned about refugees’ psychosocial need, revealing an understanding of both the physical and psychological displacement inflicted on refugees.

In the question, “Which problem of refugee children would have the greatest impact on the world in the future?” the respondents split into three groups. About one-third (32%) rated “Refugee children fall into an unbreakable cycle of poverty” as the most serious problem, another one-third (30%) agreed with “Refugee children live with long-term fear and violence” and another 27% cited “a lack of educational and social opportunities” as the most devastating impact.

According to UNHCR, there are 33 million refugees in the world, and the number is still increasing. The Iraqi war has driven at least 2 million people to flee to neighboring countries in the Middle East, making the region home to the largest number of refugees.

Closer to home, the Sri Lanka conflict has internally displaced close to 4 million people. World Vision Lanka is working with many of these displaced communities, using the same strategies of relief as they would for a natural disaster – food, water, shelter, a focus on children’s health, education and stability, as well as strategies and advocacy to protect communities until they can return home safely.

The poll was part of an advocacy campaign held by World Vision Taiwan to increase awareness among the public for the issue of refugee. The 30 Hour Famine Event also explored refugee issues, with funds raised going towards relief for refugees and displaced people globally.

Five simple questions were asked in the poll launched from June 13 to18:

1. World Refugee Day is approaching. Have you heard of it?
2. What do you think is the most important need of refugees?
3. Which problem facing refugee children will have the greatest impact on the future of the world in your opinion?
4. In which way do you want to help refugees?
5. Do you think Taiwanese people are likely to become refugees?

Educational materials are available for teachers and students to download: http://www.worldvision.org.tw/edm/080620relief/