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.
-
Resettlement Fact Sheet 2020
Dec 2020 This factsheet provides a statistical snapshot of UNHCR's resettlement activities up to the end of December 2020. All figures are provisional and subject to change. -
Who We Are: 70 Years of the UN Refugee Agency
1 Dec 2020 -
Child-trafficking in Mali increasing because of conflict and COVID-19
1 Dec 2020 Armed groups in Mali trafficking children for labour in gold mines, using profits to enrich combatants, fuel the arms trade and finance the violence. -
Acting Now on Climate Change: HC Dialogue film
1 Dec 2020 -
The 1951 Refugee Convention
The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol are the key legal documents that form the basis of our (UNHCR's) work. UNHCR serves as the 'guardian' of the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol. -
Evaluation of the UNHCR Regional Refugee Response to the Venezuela Situation
Dec 2020 This centralized evaluation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) looks at the regional response to the Venezuela Situation (VenSit) follows the declaration of the L2 emergency, effective 2018, and covers the first two years of the response Attachments: Executive Summary, Management Response and Annexes (.zip) -
Humanitarian access urgently needed to reach civilians, Eritrean refugees in Tigray
1 Dec 2020 -
Who We Are: 70 Years of the UN Refugee Agency
1 Dec 2020 -
Policy on a Victim-Centred Approach in UNHCR's response to Sexual Misconduct
Dec 2020 This policy (i) clarifies what is meant in UNHCR when referring to a victim-centred approach, (ii) confirms the organization's commitment to apply a victim-centred approach in all (suspected) instances of sexual misconduct (sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment and (iii) spells out which entities are involved in and responsible for operationalizing a victim-centred approach in their work on sexual misconduct.