World Refugee Day 2025 is being observed on Friday, 20 June, under the theme “Solidarity with Refugees.” The day honors the courage, resilience, and rights of millions of people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or violence.
🌍 Background and Significance
- First observed globally in 2001, marking the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention.
- Originally called Africa Refugee Day, it became a global observance under the United Nations in 2000.
📈 Global Refugee Crisis
- According to UNHCR, over 122 million people are currently displaced.
- Among them, 42.7 million are recognized as refugees.
- Major displacement regions include Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Palestine.
✨ Stories of Strength
- Highlighted individuals:
- Zahra Nader – Afghan journalist and founder of a women-led newsroom in exile.
- Barthelemy Mwanza – Congolese youth leader advocating for refugee rights in the U.S.
🛡️ Call to Action
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the world to act: “Let us choose solidarity. Let us choose courage. Let us choose humanity.”
