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World Refugee Day

Show your support for World Refugee Day - join the global movement to show solidarity and help make a difference in the lives of refugees!
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When it is?
June 20
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International
Introduction

Celebrate World Refugee Day on June 20 to show your support for the millions of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. This day was established in 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly as a way of recognizing refugees around the world and highlighting their courage, resilience, and strength. By coming together on this special day we can honor those who have experienced displacement while celebrating our commitment to helping them find safety, freedom, and justice.

History of World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day Dates

World Refugee Day Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1951</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Refugee Convention</div><div class='timeline-text'>The UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the key legal document in defining who is a refugee, their rights and the legal obligations of states, was adopted.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Massive Refugee Movements</div><div class='timeline-text'>Following conflicts in Southeast Asia and Central America, large-scale refugee movements occur leading to increased global attention on the issue.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1995</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First World Refugee Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The African Refugee Day is celebrated for the first time by the Organization of African Unity (OAU, now African Union).</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UN General Assembly Resolution</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations General Assembly passes a resolution establishing World Refugee Day as an international observance on June 20 each year.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Massive Displacement in Syria</div><div class='timeline-text'>Ongoing conflict in Syria leads to one of the largest refugee crises in recent history, highlighting the relevance of World Refugee Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>COVID-19 and Refugees</div><div class='timeline-text'>The COVID-19 pandemic makes combating refugee crises more urgent and highlights the vulnerability of displaced populations to the virus.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate World Refugee Day

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a fundraiser</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a fundraiser to raise money for organizations that support refugees in your community. Use social media and other outlets to spread the word.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host an event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Host an event in your community to celebrate World Refugee Day. Invite refugees in your area to share their stories and organize cultural activities.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a local organization that serves refugees and volunteer your time, whether it is helping with language classes or tutoring children.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate items</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Donate items like clothes, toys, books, and other household items to refugee families in need.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to learn more about refugees and their struggles by reading books, watching documentaries, and listening to podcasts.</p></div></div>

Why World Refugee Day is Important

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>World Refugee Day raises awareness</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Refugee Day helps to shed light on the plight of refugees and internally displaced persons around the world. Through events, activities, and conversations, we can raise awareness about these people’s experiences and the struggles they face in their countries of origin and exile.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates refugee resilience</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Refugee Day honors the courage and resilience of refugees who have been uprooted from their homes due to war, conflict or persecution. By celebrating their stories and offering support, we can help to empower them as well as inspire others in similar situations.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>World Refugee Day calls for action</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>In addition to raising awareness, World Refugee Day encourages governments, organizations, and individuals to take action in order to protect the rights of refugees. This includes providing education opportunities, access to healthcare, and protection from violence among other actions that help foster acceptance and integration into new communities.</p></div></div>

5 Eye-Opening Facts for World Refugee Day

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The number of refugees worldwide is highest since World War II</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to the UN Refugee Agency, at the end of 2020 there were a staggering 82.4 million forcibly displaced people worldwide - the highest number on record since the Second World War.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees</h3><p class='facts-content'>In terms of host countries, Turkey tops the list with 3.7 million refugees, followed by Colombia, Pakistan, and Uganda.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Over half of refugees are children</h3><p class='facts-content'>Children under the age of 18 represent about half of the refugee population, a deeply alarming fact that underscores the urgency of supporting education and protection mechanisms for this vulnerable demographic.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Most refugees live in urban areas</h3><p class='facts-content'>Contrary to popular belief, most refugees, approximately six out of seven, live in urban areas rather than camps or settlements according to data from UNHCR.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Climate change is a growing cause of displacement</h3><p class='facts-content'>Disasters associated with climate change are becoming increasingly significant causes of displacement. While not officially recognized as 'refugees', these 'climate displaced' individuals face similar hardships and security issues.</p></div></div>

World Refugee Day FAQs

When is World Refugee Day?

World Refugee Day is celebrated on June 20 every year. In 2024, World Refugee Day will occur on a Thursday.

World Refugee Day Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

Jun 20

Tuesday

2024

Jun 20

Thursday

2025

Jun 20

Friday

2026

Jun 20

Saturday

2027

Jun 20

Sunday

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