UNHCR marks World Refugee with a message of solidarity and solutions for refugees

PRETORIA– UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Government of the Republic of South Africa, together with refugees, partners and members of the diplomatic community, marked this year’s World Refugee Day by paying tribute to the resilience and courage of people who are forcibly displaced by conflict and persecution across the world.

This year’s World Refugee Day also marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the cornerstone of international refugee protection.

Speaking at the opening of a high-level dialogue to commemorate both World Refugee Day and the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, UNHCR South Africa Multi-Country Office Representative, Ms. Kavita Belani said, “75 years ago, the international community made a solemn promise, that anyone forced to flee conflict or persecution would have the right to seek safety and rebuild their lives. This commitment remains as urgent and relevant today as it was then.”

“South Africa is a powerful example of this commitment in practice. Over the years, South Africa has provided protection and assistance to tens of thousands of refugees. Its progressive legal and policy frameworks reflect a fundamental truth that refugees are not a burden. They are part of the social, economic, and cultural fabric of society,” said Belani.

Speakers at the high-level dialogue emphasized the need to move beyond emergency responses towards sustainable solutions, including the inclusion of refugees in national systems where they can access essential services, access to livelihoods, and expanded pathways for self-reliance.

Speakers also emphasised that in the South African context, the spirit of ubuntu remains a powerful foundation for solidarity with those forced to flee. At a time of growing social pressures globally, it is especially important to continue promoting solidarity and respect to human dignity, and for communities to stand together in support of one another. Building trust and understanding is essential to ensuring peaceful and cohesive communities for all.

This year, World Refugee Day focuses on solidarity with and solutions for refugees as global displacement remains historically high. According to UNHCR’s 2026 Global Trends Report, an estimated 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced globally at the end of 2025, including 41.6 million refugees and nine million asylum-seekers. While overall refugee numbers saw a slight decline, millions continue to live in protracted displacement, with nearly 70 per cent of refugees remaining in exile for decades.

In Southern Africa, countries supported by UNHCR’s South Africa Multi-Country Office host over 168,000 forcibly displaced and stateless people, reflecting both the region’s continued role as a place of refuge as well as national and community efforts to support the forcibly displaced.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Ms Duniya Aslam

Tel.083 458 5720

Email: [email protected]

Ms Tendani Sibuyi

Tel.060 534 3864

Email: [email protected]

UNHCR South Africa Multi-Country Office for Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, and South Africa.

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