World Refugee Day 2025; June 20th.

FORUM: "Solidarity with Refugees." World Refugee Day 2025. 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. At a moment of global uncertainty, of narratives that prioritize self-interest over shared humanity, with the number of forcibly displaced people at a record high and brutal aid funding cuts putting millions of lives at risk, it is more urgent than ever to break through the noise, raise our voice and show solidarity with refugees. This World Refugee Day, solidarity means honouring refugees not just with words but with actions. It means listening deeply, making space for their stories. It means standing up for their right to seek safety and for solutions to their plight. But above all solidarity means saying, clearly and courageously, that refugees are not alone and that we will not turn our back. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #20june, #solidaritywithrefugees, #campaign, #worldrefugeeday.

KEY MESSAGES:

True solidarity with refugees begins with actions. Welcoming a refugee into your community or advocating for policies that protect and support people forced to flee. Sharing refugee stories with your community, friend sand family or offering your time for them or providing them a job to help them rebuild their lives. Every gesture counts, no matter how small. Refugees are not looking for charity; they seek opportunity and self-advancement. When given the chance, they become integral, valuable and productive members of the communities that welcome them. Every act of welcome, inclusion, and support brings us closer to a world where every person forced to flee can find not just refuge, but belonging, purpose, and hope.

Solidarity Means Centering Refugee Voices: Every refugee carries a unique story — of pain, loss, and unimaginable strength. They are not defined by what they’ve lost, but by the courage with which they rebuild. Refugees have the same dreams, talents and passions as anyone else but have faced unique obstacles in their journey. They do not want to be defined solely by their experience of displacement or as victims. Their identities are complex and multifaceted. We mark World Refugee Day by sharing their stories of strength, and courage, of community, and of hope, reflecting on how each of us can show up for refugees.

Solidarity Means Building Community: Becoming a refugee is not a choice. But how we act and respond, is. We can create communities that are generous and hospitable, where everyone belongs. Refugees want self-reliance, to forge friendships with their neighbours and to take care of their families. They are often highly skilled and bring fresh ideas that foster innovation and creativity, benefiting all. Communities that welcome refugees thrive. Our message is: “We see you. You are not forgotten. You are not alone.”

Solidarity Means Working Together for Peace and Solutions: The world is facing a shortage of peace. Conflicts are multiplying with wars dragging on and with civilians paying the highest price. Crossing a border is often the hardest choice but the only one left to survive. Countries need to uphold their obligations to provide sanctuary and life-saving protection to refugees. But it cannot end there. We need peace, so nobody feels forced to flee. But in the absence of peace, refugees need opportunities to be active members of the communities that have welcomed them, whether through work, school, sports or other civic activities. For as long as they remain in exile, refugees should be able to use their talents and passions to provide for their families and contribute to the countries hosting them. Low- and middle-income countries where the majority of refugees are received require greater investment so refugees can live in dignity and thrive while hosts also benefit.

Solidarity Means We Stay and Deliver: UNHCR’s mandate is more relevant than ever. We have been called upon since our inception to serve and protect people forced to flee. Our role remains critical not just in saving lives but in stabilising communities and countries. Helping the displaced where they are enables peace and social stability. We continue to work in some of the world’s most difficult environments where war and violence have left millions of people vulnerable. While the dire funding situation is impacting our work and putting the lives of many at risk, we remain committed to fulfilling our mandate. This World Refugee Day, we also stand with our colleagues and our humanitarian partners around the world, who stay and deliver, who refuse to walk away, no matter the Challenges.

EVENTS: On June 20th; The observance of World Refugee Day 2025 will be a moment to show solidarity with refugees, honoring their stories andshowing unwavering support to their plight. Read the concept Note and Register to participate!

STATEMENTS: Read the statement of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the World Refugee Day 2025; June 20th.

 "Today, we recognize the millions of refugees forced to flee war, persecution, and disaster. Every individual carries a story of profound loss – of a family uprooted and a future upended. Many face closed doors and a rising tide of xenophobia. From Sudan to Ukraine, from Haiti to Myanmar, a record number of people are on the run for their lives – while support is dwindling. And host communities, often in developing countries, are shouldering the greatest burden. This is unfair and unsustainable. But even as the world falls short, refugees continue to show extraordinary courage, resilience and determination. And when given the chance, they contribute meaningfully – strengthening economies, enriching cultures, and deepening social bonds. On this World Refugee Day, solidarity must go beyond words. Solidarity must mean boosting humanitarian and development support, expanding protection and durable solutions such as resettlement, and upholding the right to seek asylum – a pillar of international law. It must also mean listening to refugees and ensuring they have a voice in shaping their futures. And it must mean investing in long-term integration through education, decent work, and equal rights. Becoming a refugee is never a choice. But how we respond is. So let us choose solidarity. Let us choose courage. Let us choose humanity."

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

“The cost of inaction will be measured insuffering, instability and lost futures.”
Filippo Grandi, UNHCR Director-General on World Refugee Day 2025; June 20th.

“When humanitarian aid disappears, people forced to flee suffer most. Support is vanishing, yet UNHCR staff and partnersdon’t walk away. World Refugee Day is a call for solidarity,” Cat Blanchett UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.


CALL TO ACTION: Now more than ever, we must continue to show solidarity with refugees. This is a pivotal moment in history. In these dark, uncertain times, we must not let hope slip away. We all have a stake in deciding what kind of world we want to live in. Do we choose empathy or apathy? If you believe that refugee rights and refugee lives matter, now is the time to make your voice count. In big and small ways, let us show up for refugees.

Are you still with refugees?

We can make a difference – starting now. This is our moment. Support refugees and share this video.

HOW YOU CAN SHOW SUPPORT: The UNHCR is a global organization, dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect and provide assistance for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Donate to support UNHCR’s vital life-saving work. Buy and wear this bracelet made by refugees.

For questions regarding World Refugee Day, please contact hqwrd@unhcr.org.

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