UNHCR Serbia Marks World Refugee Day 2024 – For a World Where Refugees are Welcomed

World Refugee Day (WRD) 2024 in Serbia was a celebration of unity and cultural exchange. The event kicked off with a collaborative cooking session, where refugees from Iraq, Iran, and Ukraine, along with students from the Hospitality and Tourism School in Belgrade, cooked with experienced international chefs provided by the embassies of France, Italy and the USA. This culinary exchange allowed participants to share their countries’ flavours and personal stories.

Chefs Svitlana and Francesco “toasting” with Ukrainian bilochka dish, ©UNHCR/Kharim Nsengiyumva, Belgrade, 20 June 2024

Neda making Iranian-style samosas with chefs from the French Embassy, ©UNHCR/Kharim Nsengiyumva, Belgrade, 20 June 2024

Chefs Karox and Nikola exchanging a “well done” hug, having tasted the fresh falafel they made together, ©UNHCR/Kharim Nsengiyumva, Belgrade, 20 June 2024

Karox from Iraq teamed up with Nikola from the US Embassy, Svitlana from Ukraine paired with an Italian Chef Francesco, and Neda and Farah from Iran joined forces with Chefs Zoran and Dragana from the French Embassy. Together with Serbian students, they prepared a variety of tasty dishes for the WRD Reception.

The evening’s formal reception at the Silos Cultural Center in Belgrade welcomed many guests, including national authorities, the diplomatic corps, refugees, and partners involved in the refugee response. UNHCR Representative Soufiane Adjali and Deputy Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia Svetlana Velimirović highlighted the staggering global figures of 120 million forcibly displaced worldwide and Serbia’s compassionate response.

UNHCR Representative Soufiane Adjali welcoming the guests and giving the keynote speech for the central WRD event, ©UNHCR/Kharim Nsengiyumva, Belgrade, 20 June 2024

UNHCR High Profile Supporter, Actress Branka Katić, takes the floor for the WRD reception, ©UNHCR/Kharim Nsengiyumva, Belgrade, 20 June 2024

Newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia Matilde Mordt (centre) shares a happy moment with the UNHCR Representative Soufiane Adjali, ©UNHCR/Kharim Nsengiyumva, Belgrade, 20 June 2024

Actress Branka Katić, a UNHCR High Profile Supporter, made a poignant appearance, emphasizing the potential for anyone to become a refugee and the need for increased solidarity, echoing the motto of this year’s WRD “For a world where refugees are welcomed”.

Guests enjoyed a multicultural feast featuring Iranian samosas, Iraqi shawarma, Ukrainian bilochka, Serbian gibanica, and more.

The City of Belgrade also commemorated the day by illuminating the central city fountain at Slavija Square in UNHCR blue, symbolizing support and awareness for the cause.

World Refugee Day served as a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a human being with dreams, hopes and a desire for a safe place to call home. It was also a call to action for all of us to show support, not just in words but through meaningful actions that contribute to the well-being and dignity of refugees.