A Journey of Hope: A Refugee’s Story and The Power of Humanitarian Support

In 1979, at the age of 11, my father told our family to pack a small bag. That night, we left our home in Saigon, heading to a coastal village in Song Be, Vietnam. My family, consisting of seven children and my parents, boarded a tiny fishing boat. We sailed under the cover of darkness, joining about 300 others in the search for safety. At the time, the full gravity of our situation eluded me, but now as a father, I understand. My father faced a choice no parent should bear: risk everything for a future or remain in uncertainty.

This past March, over 40 years later, I returned to Vietnam as the Chief Financial Officer of UNICEF USA. I roamed the streets of a country transformed—no longer war-torn, but dynamic and full of opportunity. This made me ponder: would my parents have embarked on that dangerous journey knowing Vietnam’s future? I believe they would. Hope motivated their decision, not desperation. They believed their children deserved better.

June marks both World Refugee Day and Father’s Day. These occasions intertwine for me and countless other fathers. Every refugee statistic stems from decisions like my parents’. Responsible choices, born from love, not recklessness. Today, nearly 50 million children are forcibly displaced worldwide, fleeing conflict and instability they did nothing to cause. Their experiences last a lifetime.

After three days at sea, my family reached Malaysia. We stayed temporarily on a beach before moving to a refugee camp. A year later, we transferred to the Philippines, waiting over a year for resettlement. Initially, no country welcomed us. Too many children, non-English-speaking parents, and limited job prospects seemed insurmountable.

During this time, humanitarian aid workers vaccinated me. Volunteers taught me the ABCs, making me realize the world had not forgotten us. I distinctly recall the UNICEF logo. At a young age, you don’t grasp institutions, but you recognize when someone provides a chance. Humanitarian support not only meets immediate needs but also fosters long-term change.

On my recent Vietnam visit, I witnessed this principle firsthand. The Inclusive Education Resource Center at the National College of Education in Hanoi impressed me. Technology aids children with disabilities, enabling integration into mainstream schools and equal opportunities. This showcases inclusive education’s potential.

In Bac Ha’s remote region, I observed UNICEF’s educational initiatives. The mother-tongue–based bilingual education for the Hmong community inspired me, as it ensures children learn Vietnamese while preserving their language and identity. This echoed my own experience, learning English while maintaining cultural roots.

Visiting a boarding school, memories of refugee camp living quarters resurfaced. Children shared cramped sleeping spaces reminiscent of Pulau Bidong Island’s refugee camp in Malaysia. These programs aren’t abstract investments—they’re lifelines, bridging potential and neglect.

In a world with rising global displacement, support for such systems faces immense strain. We often focus on refugee policy’s borders, numbers, and costs, overlooking long-term impacts. I’m proof of investing in children’s immeasurable returns. A child in a refugee camp today might become a teacher, doctor, business leader, or like me, someone committed to ensuring all children have opportunities.

This World Refugee Day and Father’s Day, we must honor not only these families’ resilience but also our shared duty to them. Courageous parents worldwide make impossible decisions daily by crossing dangerous borders, risking lives for a better future for their children. We must match their determination by ensuring rights such as education, healthcare, and the opportunity to thrive.

This isn’t merely compassion—it’s investing in a stable and prosperous world. In Vietnam this year, reflecting on this full-circle moment brought immense gratitude for my parents, supporting organizations, and the chance to craft a life once unimaginable. Yet, a responsibility loomed. Millions of children still await that chance. My father took a risk for my future. Now the onus is on us to extend that future to others.

Michael Chen is the Chief Financial Officer of UNICEF USA.