World Refugee Day

What is World Refugee Day?

World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on 20 June and shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of those forced to flee.

Join us this World Refugee Day and show solidarity with people forced to flee.

This year, World Refugee Day focuses on solidarity with refugees.

Solidarity means honouring refugees not just with words but with actions. It means listening to them and making space for their stories. It means defending their right to seek safety and finding solutions to their plight, ending conflicts so they can return home in safety.

It means ensuring they have opportunities to thrive in the communities that have welcomed them and providing countries with the resources they need to include and support refugees.

But above all, solidarity means saying, clearly and courageously, that refugees are not alone and that we will not turn our backs.

Planned events to mark WRD 2025 in Armenia

June 10 – Ribbon-cutting ceremony of the newly renovated community puppet theater; Puppet show premiere by the children on the theme: Solidarity with Refugees. Location: Metsamor community, Armavir province (partners: Family and Community NGO, Action Against Hunger)

June 12 – Human Library; Cultural presentations; Fun games with refugees and students of Yerevan State University Oriental Languages Faculty. Location: Yerevan (partners: KASA Foundation, Yerevan State University)

June 16 – Inauguration of the newly renovated premises of “Artsvabuyn” social home for older people; Music and dance performances and networking. Location: Kapan community, Syunik province (partners: Mission Armenia NGO, Action Against Hunger)

June 18 – Opening ceremony of the newly renovated premises of the social work center. Location: Sardarapat community, Armavir province (partners: Armenian Association of Social Workers, Action Against Hunger)

June 20 – Commemoration of World Refugee Day (main event); World Refugee Day key messages; Cultural programme and refugee testimonials; Refreshments made by refugee bakers. Location: Komitas Museum-Institute, Yerevan (partner: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia)

How can you show solidarity with refugees?

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Give

Support young refugees to pursue higher education by donating to our Aiming Higher campaign.

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Advocate

Join us on social media to help amplify the voices of refugees this World Refugee Day. Follow us on FacebookInstagramLinkedInTikTok or Twitter.

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Learn

Discover the latest stats and trends in forced displacement globally and learn how refugees and displaced people are being impacted by the climate crisis and taking action in their communities by taking this quiz.

Three stories of solidarity #WithRefugees

“We Were Here” is a Webby Award-winning documentary series produced by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and YouTube.

In support of World Refugee Day, these three short films challenge stereotypes about refugees by focusing on what unites us rather than what sets us apart. Refugees in Jordan, Germany, and Uganda collaborated with top YouTube Creators to share their powerful stories.

Bethlehem, Siona, and Miriam, whose band was on the verge of stardom when war broke out in Ukraine, spend time in the studio with UK-based music producer Jax Jones.

Bemeriki Busamwa, a refugee in Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo, shares his passion for teaching communities how to grow their own food with Welsh vegan chef Gaz Oakley.

Mohamed, a Syrian refugee and toymaker, welcomes Swedish inventor Simore Giertz into his workshop in Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan.

History and purpose of World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees can not only survive but also thrive.