In 1979, my family made a life-changing decision. My father, along with my mother and seven siblings, left our home in Saigon. We headed to a coastal village in Song Be, Vietnam. That night, we boarded a small fishing boat. We joined about 300 others in a risky journey out to sea, driven by the hope of a better future. As an 11-year-old, I did not fully grasp the gravity of our situation at the time. Yet, as a parent now, I understand my father’s choice. It was a decision driven by responsibility, borne out of an unwavering hope for a better life.
This March, over four decades later, I returned to Vietnam. It was part of my role as the chief financial officer of UNICEF USA. Walking through the streets, I saw change everywhere. Vietnam today is far removed from the war-torn place I left. It is a thriving country full of opportunities. I wondered if my parents would have still chosen that dangerous path had they known Vietnam’s future. I believe their answer would still be yes. They desired their children to grow up without fear and uncertainty.
Our story resonates with many families today. World Refugee Day and Father’s Day in June highlight such stories. For many fathers, these events are intertwined. They remind us every refugee statistic reflects a story like ours. A decision not of recklessness but of courage and responsibility.
Nearly 50 million children have faced displacement globally today. Many escape conflicts and environmental challenges they did not create. Like me, they carry their experiences forever. After three days at sea, we reached Malaysia. We lived briefly on a beach before moving to a refugee camp. Later, we moved to the Philippines waiting for resettlement. Initially, no country would accept us. There were too many children and my parents’ language skills and professions were lacking.
During this period, humanitarian aid offered us hope. I received vaccinations and learned my ABCs from volunteers. I saw the UNICEF logo and felt supported. It spoke of hope and help. Humanitarian support goes beyond meeting immediate needs. It establishes conditions for long-term change.
On returning to Vietnam, I visited places where support initiatives made a difference. I saw the Inclusive Education Resource Center in Hanoi. It helps children with disabilities access equal opportunities through technology. In Bac Ha, the impact of UNICEF’s educational initiatives was visible. Mother-tongue based bilingual education for the Hmong community was impressive. It preserves cultural identity while ensuring integration into Vietnamese society.
Visiting a boarding school brought back memories of my refugee camp days. The shared sleeping spaces reminded me of the wooden boards we slept on at the camp on Pulau Bidong Island, Malaysia. These initiatives are not just investments; they are essential lifelines.
With rising global displacement, support systems face greater strain. Discussions on refugee policies often center on numbers and costs. Yet the long-term impact is profound. Investing in children yields measurable results. A child in today’s refugee camp could become a future leader or aid worker, as I have.
This World Refugee Day and Father’s Day, we must honor resilient families. It is our obligation to provide children the rights to education and healthcare. These are essential for their future and the stability of the world. I stood in Vietnam, grateful for my parents and supportive organizations. We must now ensure today’s displaced children receive that same opportunity. My father took a risk for my future. We have the responsibility to do the same for others.
Michael Chen is the chief financial officer of UNICEF USA.