1960 – The Year of the Refugee 7.4.1960

The famous Raphael's fresco in the Vatican, Fire in the Borgo, which depicts a scene, showing Aeneas carrying his father with his son beside them. The inspiration for the work was the Aeneid, an epic Latin poem which told the life of Aeneas, a Trojan who left his home city and eventually ended up in Italy, where he was a progenitor of Rome. The precise scene depicts the moment that Aeneas carries his father, the elderly Anchises, and his son Ascancius from Troy, after it has been sacked by the Greek army. In his hand, Anchises carries a vessel with his ancestors' ashes, on the top of which are two tiny statues of Di Penates, Roman household gods.

This fresco by Raphael is portrayed on the two stamps issued by Italy in 1960 – The Year of the Refugee.

World Refugee Year was officially launched on 28 June 1959. The idea was initiated by the United Kingdom and approved by the General Assembly in a resolution adopted on 5 December 1958. The basic idea of World Refugee Year was that a special purely humanitarian effort should be made to bring refugee problems nearer to a solution.  

Protection for Refugees 24.4.1953

As a reminder to the world of the plight of refugees, the first United Nations commemorative stamp of 1953 will call attention to their urgent need for aid. The U.N. Postal Administration announced that the stamp, which will be printed in three and five cent denominations will be issued on Friday, April 24,and will be placed on salt the same day. The stamp depicts a homeless family and beaes the words 'Protection for Refugees',  with the United Nations emblem at top left.

Refugees after Second World War 16.5.1960

Many refugees remained in camps almost fifteen years after the end of the Second World War. This was seen as disgraceful by those who had suffered greatly during the war and those who were concerned about their situation. It was at this point that the United Nations launched a program to resolve the refugee problem once and for all. 1959-1960 was announced as World Refugee Year. The aim of this project was to 'clear the camps'. It achieved some significant results, especially in Europe. By the end of 1960, for the first time since before the war, all the refugee camps in Europe were closed.

The United Nations approved World Refugee Year in June 1959 with the intention to encourage the return of refugees and Displaced Persons to their original places of residence  

1960 World Refugee Year

The United States  1960 4¢ World Refugee Year stamp was issued on 7.4.1960 at Washington, DC. Along with USA many other nations  joined in issuing stamps to symbolize their participation in the United Nations’ World Refugee Year. TheU.N. proclaimed International Refugee Year from July 1, 1959, until June 30, 1960. 

The stamps were issued to bring attention to the hardships of millions of people who were still displaced over a decade after the end of World War II. The stamp design shows a family heading from darkness toward a bright doorway, symbolizing escape from oppression into a new life.

In 1958 – 13 years after World War II ended – there were still displaced people living in refugee camps. An idea started in the United Kingdom and was rapidly picked up by the United Nations and many other nations – individual countries helping refugees. Through the efforts of the participating nations, tens of thousands of people returned home.

Thank you Merja for this nice FDC with a wonderful theme.