24London, May 23: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written an open letter to the “strong and dignified” children of Ukraine praising them as role models for everyone around the world and said “we in the UK will never forget you”.
In the letter, the PM said, “In any other year, children like you would be spilling out of your homes and schools to play with your friends, to chase a football… to simply enjoy what is supposed to be a uniquely carefree time in your lives. Of course, this is not any other year.
“Many of you have seen or experienced things no child should have to witness. Yet, everyday Ukrainian children are teaching all of us what it means to be strong and dignified. To hold your head high in the toughest of times. I can think of no better role model for children and adults everywhere. You may be separated from your friends at home, but you have millions of others all over the world.
“Here in the United Kingdom. We fly Ukrainian flags from our homes, offices, churches, shops and playgrounds. Even from my own roof in Downing Street, where the windows are filled with sunflowers drawn by British children. Our young people are painting your flag in their classrooms and making blue and yellow bracelets in support of your country.”
Sky News quoted Johnson as sharing Zelenskyy’s hopes regarding the end of the conflict: “I believe, like your president, that Ukraine is going to win this war,” he wrote.
“I hope with all my heart that one day soon, you will be free to return to your homes, your schools, your families, and whatever happens, however long it takes.”
?We in the UK will never forget you and we’ll always be proud to call you our friends,? Johnson’s letter concluded.
As per the United Nations refugee agency, more than 100 million people have been forced to flee conflict, violence and persecution for the first time on record. The UNHCR said on Sunday that “the number of people forced to flee conflict, violence, human rights violations and persecution has now crossed the staggering milestone of 100 million for the first time on record, propelled by the war in Ukraine and other deadly conflicts.”
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi emphasised that the 100 million is a “stark figure ? sobering and alarming in equal measure and this record should never have been set.”
The war in Ukraine has displaced 8 million within the country this year, and more than 6 million refugee movements from Ukraine have been registered, he added.
(UNI)
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