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 celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their homecountry to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognise their resilience in rebuilding their lives.
Why is World Refugee Day important?
World Refugee Day shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees. It helps mobilising political will and resources so refugees can not only survive but also thrive. While it is important to protect and improve the lives of refugees every single day, international days like World Refugee Day help focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution. Many activities held on World Refugee Day create opportunities to support refugees.
Why is World Refugee Day important?
World Refugee Day shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees. It helps mobilising political will and resources so refugees can not only survive but also thrive. While it is important to protect and improve the lives of refugees every single day, international days like World Refugee Day help focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution. Many activities held on World Refugee Day create opportunities to support refugees.
When did World Refugee Day start?
World Refugee Day was held for the first time on 20 June 2001. It commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It was originally known as Africa Refugee Day, before the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as an international day in December 2000.
What happens on World Refugee Day?
Each year, World Refugee Day is marked by a variety of events in many countries around the globe in support of refugees. These activities are led by or involve refugees themselves, government officials, host communities, companies, celebrities, school children and the general public, among others.
‘When you open your home, you open your heart’
Iryna Morykvas reflects on how fleeing Ukraine with her son changed her perspective on love, peace and safety – and inspired her to design this year’s World Refugee Day emoji.
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ben Stiller on World Refugee Day visits Ukraine, calls for solidarity with people affected by the war against Ukraine
Mr. Stiller came to Ukraine to see the scale of destruction and hear first-hand from people who have directly experienced the impact of the war, had to flee from their homes and who are now trying to rebuild their lives.
Ukrainian refugees depict trauma of fleeing war in new short film
“Uprooted” shows how the terrifying memories of conflict live on in those who have escaped, and sends a message of solidarity to refugees around the world.
UNHCR Global Trends reveals that the number of people forcibly displaced in the world has risen to a record 82.4 million
June 18, 2021. Kyiv, Ukraine. Today, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has published its annual UNHCR Global Trends report on forced displacement in the world and is organising over 30 events around Ukraine to highlight the courage, resilience and contributions refugees,...
List of events by UNHCR and partners on the occasion of the World Refugee Day 2021
On 20 June, the global community is observing World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the United Nations to honor the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their homes to escape conflict or persecution. This year, the World Refugee...
Prominent Ukrainian singer Gaytana and the UN Refugee Agency present a new song and music video for the World Refugee Day 2020
On 19 June, the famous Ukrainian singer Gaytana and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) released a music video for World Refugee Day. Annually celebrated on June 20th, World Refugee Day draws attention to the problems of people who have lost their homes due to conflicts and persecutions.
World Refugee Day 2019 in Ukraine
Thousands of people all over Ukraine demonstrated solidarity with refugees and internally displaced people.
World Refugee Day 2019 in Ukraine
Learn how you can join solidarity movement “Make a Step with Refugees and IDPs”.
World Refugee Day 2018
World Refugee day is an opportunity to remember all these who have had to leave their homes, livelihoods and quite often extended family to seek protection and shelter.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the commemoration of the annual World Refugee Day took place online. In Ukraine, Hromadske TV hosted an event moderated by Oleksiy Matsuka, Ukrainian journalist and editor-in-chief of Novosti Donbassa. UNHCR’s Representative in Ukraine and Ukrainian singer Gaytana disscussed reasons for forcible displacement and possible solutions to address current problems. Gaytana presented her new song, “A Paper Plane”. The song calls for the need to feel supported and to have a home. It reminds us that those who have lost their home too often feel in danger and live in fear. The song inspires them not to lose hope and to strive for their goals. Gaytana sang together with children from the band Zabava, Adel Nazarchuk and other talented children. Refugee children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia, whose families found protection in Ukraine, took part in the creation of the music video. The author of the original English song is musician Aryan King. Armando Balacosta, singer and refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Noda Dindi and his African folk band also joined the online event and performed their songs.