On World Refugee Day, observed annually on June 20, United Nations officials are urging a renewed commitment to solidarity and decisive action to support refugees and the communities providing them shelter. Barham Salih emphasized the valuable contributions refugees make as workers, students, neighbors, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, and leaders, stating, “Given the opportunity, they rebuild their lives and help strengthen the societies around them.”
Turbulent Times Demand Stronger Support
UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the increasing number of individuals forced to flee their homes due to escalating global divisions and ongoing conflicts. “As divisions deepen across our world, new and protracted conflicts are compelling millions of women, children and men to seek safety far from home,” he stated, underscoring that these “turbulent times” require enhanced solidarity and concrete measures to protect refugees.
The Difficult Choice of Fleeing
Mr. Salih, drawing from his personal experience of fleeing repression in Iraq, shared, “Fleeing home to seek safety is one of the hardest choices anyone can make. I know that from personal experience.” He asserted that while being a refugee might be a temporary status, “becoming a refugee should not define a person’s life.” He cautioned that millions of refugees are currently dependent on diminishing aid for their survival.
Tackling Prolonged Displacement
Beyond immediate emergencies, many refugees face years, or even decades, of displacement. “Being a refugee is meant to be a temporary condition, not a lifelong fate,” Mr. Salih declared. He has set an ambitious goal to reduce the number of refugees living in protracted displacement and relying on humanitarian assistance by half within ten years. This initiative will concentrate on low and middle-income countries, which host the majority of refugees, aiming to transition from managing displacement to resolving it and significantly improving the lives of millions.
A Landmark Anniversary and a Call to Action
This year’s World Refugee Day also commemorates the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. This pivotal post-World War II treaty guarantees the right of individuals fleeing war, conflict, or persecution to seek safety and protection. “We must continue to uphold that promise. Until everyone is safe, none of us are safe,” Mr. Salih urged, characterizing this as a call to action and a statement of solidarity. He stressed that the right to seek safety is especially crucial in the current climate and demands collective defense.
Stand Up for Refugees: The ‘Until Everyone is Safe’ Campaign
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), under the leadership of the High Commissioner, is mobilizing young people for the World Refugee Day theme, “Until Everyone is Safe.” This campaign seeks to challenge stereotypes and emphasize that the right to seek safety applies broadly, not just to those escaping immediate violence. It aligns with UNHCR’s “50 by 35 vision,” which aims to halve protracted displacement by 2035 by improving refugees’ access to employment, education, healthcare, and social protection to foster self-reliance and decrease dependency on aid.
