About World Refugee Day 2008
© UNHCR photo
On June 20, we celebrate World Refugee Day. This year, events around the world focus on the fundamental need for protection. For some, this means economic security; for others, protection is freedom from violence and persecution. On World Refugee Day, we turn our attention to the millions of refugees who live without material, social and legal protection.
Since its foundation in 1951, UNHCR has protected tens of millions of refugees. For us, protection consists of tangible improvements in the lives of forcibly displaced people - from the provision of food and shelter to support for those lacking legal status or those wishing to return to their home countries. On World Refugee Day, we commemorate this vital engagement.
Protection is also about raising awareness. We cannot protect refugees if their plight remains invisible. On World Refugee Day, we will highlight the universal nature of protection. Not only are refugees protected all around the globe, but the responsibility for protection is equally global.
Ultimately, protection is a challenge that knows no borders. Neither can it be left to a single agency to provide. On World Refugee Day, we are launching a global call for action. We want to promote engagement at the grassroots level, in local communities, workplaces and online. Only through a global network of supporters can we meet the manifold needs of protection.
How can you help?
Online social utilities provide excellent tools for advocacy. Become a fan on Facebook, support our cause and share our videos, photos and latest news with your friends. You can also find us on MySpace, YouTube and Flickr.
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Refugees in Cote d'Ivoire build back businesses despite COVID-19
22 Dec 2021 -
Hope for refugees in Angola as they receive COVID-19 vaccines
22 Dec 2021 UNHCR's advocacy efforts pay off as Angola includes refugees and asylum seekers in national COVID-19 vaccination campaign. -
Relief International
21 Dec 2021 -
Scale up support to Iran to safeguard fleeing Afghans, says UNHCR's Grandi
21 Dec 2021 -
Age Gender and Diversity Tip sheet - Helping to ensure AGD inclusive pledges and good practices for the GRF (ARABIC version, 2021)
21 Dec 2021 (ARABIC language version) This Tip Sheet builds on the progress made at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum (GRF) to help ensure pledges address gaps related to age, gender, and diversity (AGD), including disability, in refugee responses. -
Thousands of DR Congo refugees in Zambia opt to head home
21 Dec 2021 -
Clashes in Cameroon's Far North displace more than 100,000 people
17 Dec 2021 -
Big (Crisis) data for predictive models - A literature review
17 Dec 2021 This report summarizes the academic and grey literature on the usage of big data sources in the modelling and prediction of forcibly displaced persons. Based on the findings, it highlights possible avenues for UNHCR to include big data sources into their work. -
Guidelines on supervised independent living for unaccompanied children
17 Dec 2021 This guideline seeks to assist UNHCR and partner staff working on child protection and guide them in assessing and making decisions on the most appropriate alternative care, establishing and supporting supervised independent living arrangements, and monitoring and follow-up for unaccompanied children.