UNHCR launches World Refugee Day emoji

(ANSAmed) - ROME, JUNE 17 - UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has collaborated with Twitter and 22-year-old Ivorian artist O'Plérou for the launch of the 2020 World Refugee Day emoji. The emoji, two hands linked together in the shape of a heart, symbolizes solidarity and diversity. According to a statement, Twitter will activate the 2020 World Refugee Day emoji with the hashtags #WorldRefugeeDay, #RefugeeDay and #WithRefugees in 12 languages. The emoji is live until June 23. Twitter's George Salama, head of public policy, government and philanthropy for Middle East and North Africa, said ''Twitter was created so that anyone, anywhere, can answer the question 'What's happening?' In doing so, it has become a place for global communities including journalists, human rights activists and citizens to connect on issues that matter, share information, and speak truth to power''. ''On #WorldRefugeeDay, we are proud to continue our partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with the creation of this emoji, which aims to generate awareness through the power of the service, to demonstrate solidarity and to honor the resilience of refugees worldwide'', he went on to say O'Plérou, the emoji designer, wants to bring attention to refugees around the world. Friends of his family had to flee Cte d'Ivoire during the 2010 political crisis. ''Refugees are people just like us,'' he said. ''Through my work, I try to showcase diversity so we can better understand each other and achieve greater solidarity.''''This emoji is a visual expression of diversity, inclusion and solidarity - and the power of hope over fear'', said Gisella Lomax, head of social media at UNHCR.
    ''Sharing it is just one way to show support for the world's forcibly displaced people on World Refugee Day and beyond''.
    (ANSAmed) (ANSA).