VOA常速英语2017--6月20日-世界难民日

On June 20th, we observe World Refugee Day. It is an occasion to highlight the plight¹ of refugees around the world, commend their resilience, and express gratitude² to their hosts.

6月20日，我们纪念世界难民日。在这一天，我们着重强调全世界难民所遭受的苦难，我们赞扬他们的顽强，同时也向收留他们的国家表示感谢。

According to the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees, a refugee is someone who, "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted³ for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling⁴ to avail himself of the protection of that country." In 2016, the world's refugee population topped 22 million, more than ever before.

根据1951年《关于难民地位的公约》的定义，难民就是“因自身种族、宗教、国际、所隶属的某个特殊社会团体、所持有的某种政见而担心受到迫害，故而远离本国，不能或者处于害怕的原因而不想受该国保护的人。”2016年，全球难民人数超过2200万，这是史无前例的。

The displaced come from all walks of life, singly and in families, across a wide spectrum⁵ of ethnic⁶, religious, economic and educational backgrounds. But they have one thing in common: all have been forced from their homes and homelands. They flee to escape persecution⁷ or violent conflict, including terrorism. Often, people flee because their towns have been turned into battlefields and staying means nearly certain death.

这些流离失所的难民来自各个阶层，有独身逃亡的，也有携家带口的，他们有不同的种族、宗教、经济、教育背景。但他们有一个共同点：都是被迫背井离乡的。他们逃亡是为了躲避迫害或暴力冲突（包括恐怖主义）。很多情况下，难民逃亡是因为自己的家乡变成了战场，留下来几乎是必死无疑的。

This is a global crisis that is affecting more men, women, and children than ever before and for longer and longer periods of time.

难民危机是全球性的危机，它正以前所未有的方式影响着越来越多的人，并且这种影响是不容易消除的。

As we observe World Refugee Day, we are reminded that as long as violence and persecution continue, there will be a pressing need for comprehensive humanitarian⁸ action and a global response. That is why the United States is proud to continue its leadership in providing humanitarian aid around the world. This life-saving assistance protects refugees, feeds those who might otherwise starve, shelters those who would otherwise be exposed to the elements, and ensures access to safe clean water and basic healthcare.

我们纪念世界难民日之际，也意识到，只要暴力和迫害存在，我们就急需全面的人道主义行动和全球性的响应。这也是美国为自己继续领导各国在全球范围内提供人道主义援助而感到自豪的原因。这种人道主义援助的作用生死攸关，它能够保护难民，为那些可能因为没饭吃而死的人提供粮食，为那些可能无家可归的人提供避难所，确保难民能喝到安全干净的水，并能够获得医疗服务。

As U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley wrote in the Wall Street Journal, we are committed to easing the suffering of Syrian refugees and supporting the countries that host them. In the face of dire⁹ needs, horrible violence, and unbearable¹⁰ persecution, our commitment to the world's most vulnerable people remains¹¹ a critical component¹² of U.S. policy.

正如美国驻联合国大使妮基在《华尔街日报》中所写的那样，我们致力于减轻叙利亚难民所受的苦难，支持收留他们的国家。在粮食紧缺、暴力和迫害肆虐的情况下，我们会为这个最脆弱的人群服务，这将依然是美国政策的重要组成部分。

1 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

2 gratitude   

adj.感激，感谢

参考例句：

• I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
• She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。

3 persecuted   

（尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人

参考例句：

• Throughout history, people have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. 人们因宗教信仰而受迫害的情况贯穿了整个历史。
• Members of these sects are ruthlessly persecuted and suppressed. 这些教派的成员遭到了残酷的迫害和镇压。

4 unwilling   

adj.不情愿的

参考例句：

• The natives were unwilling to be bent by colonial power.土著居民不愿受殖民势力的摆布。
• His tightfisted employer was unwilling to give him a raise.他那吝啬的雇主不肯给他加薪。

5 spectrum   

n.谱，光谱，频谱；范围，幅度，系列

参考例句：

• This is a kind of atomic spectrum.这是一种原子光谱。
• We have known much of the constitution of the solar spectrum.关于太阳光谱的构成，我们已了解不少。

6 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

7 persecution   

n. 迫害,烦扰

参考例句：

• He had fled from France at the time of the persecution. 他在大迫害时期逃离了法国。
• Their persecution only serves to arouse the opposition of the people. 他们的迫害只激起人民对他们的反抗。

8 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

9 dire   

adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的

参考例句：

• There were dire warnings about the dangers of watching too much TV.曾经有人就看电视太多的危害性提出严重警告。
• We were indeed in dire straits.But we pulled through.那时我们的困难真是大极了，但是我们渡过了困难。

10 unbearable   

adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的

参考例句：

• It is unbearable to be always on thorns.老是处于焦虑不安的情况中是受不了的。
• The more he thought of it the more unbearable it became.他越想越觉得无法忍受。

11 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

12 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。