Survivors Fund (SURF) has supported Holocaust Memorial Day since its inception. The theme for the commemoration this year is Communities Together: Build a Bridge on which SURF Trustee, Apolinaire Kageruka, comments in the HMD campaign pack (featuring photography from SURF Photographer, Andrew Sutton), an excerpt of which we feature here.

Imagine waking up to find that the neighbours you have known all your life and even sat next to at school, now walk past you without stopping, now forbid their children from playing with yours, now spit at you and even attack you.

Imagine having nowhere to turn, that the walls are closing in and that there is no escape.

Imagine that you have done nothing wrong, yet you are to be punished nonetheless and no one will stand by you.

On Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January, we’re asking you to remember and stand by those who were forced to live through these experiences. We want you to honour those communities which were destroyed in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

On Holocaust Memorial Day 2013 we can work towards a society that is respectful of
everyone. We can all play a part in creating a safe environment and do what we can to
know and support our communities. On 27 January 2013 we can reach out and make
connections with others.

To learn more read download the HMD 2013 Campaign Pack.