20 June is World Refugee Day
Join us this year on World Refugee Day and support refugees across the globe to be protected and included in health care, education and sport.
Together we heal, learn and shine.
Watch this space for updates on how we will commemorate this year’s World Refugee Day in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Over the past year, the COVID-19 has shown us that we only succeed if we stand together. We have all had to do our part to keep each other safe and despite the challenges, refugees and displaced people have stepped up.
Given the chance, refugees will continue to contribute to a stronger, safer and more vibrant world. This year, we call for greater inclusion of refugees in health systems, schools and sport. Only by working together can we recover from the pandemic.
Read their inspiring stories below.
Together we heal!
Meet Moheymen, a refugee nurse on the front line against Coronavirus in Iran.
After earning a nursing degree on a UNHCR scholarship, Iraqi nurse Moheyman is working tirelessly to assist Iranians and fellow refugees in current COVID-19 crisis.
Together we learn!
Meet Parisa and her sister Parimah, two Afghan students who study side by side their Iranian classmates in Esfahan, Iran.
An exemplary policy in Iran lets Afghan children attend public school, whether they are registered refugees, passport holders or even undocumented.
Together we shine!
Meet Rozma, an Afghan sports coach helps young refugees find a path to school in Iran.
Football coach and youth counsellor Rozma Ghafouri is the regional winner for Asia for UNHCR’s annual Nansen Refugee Award for her work empowering Afghan refugee girls.
What is World Refugee Day?
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.
Why is World Refugee Day important?
World Refugee Day shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees can not only survive but also thrive. While it is important to protect and improve the lives of refugees every single day, international days like World Refugee Day help to focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution. Many activities held on World Refugee Day create opportunities to support refugees.
When is World Refugee Day? When did World Refugee Day start?
World Refugee Day falls each year on June 20 and is dedicated to refugees around the globe. World Refugee Day was held globally for the first time on June 20, 2001, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It was originally known as Africa Refugee Day, before the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as an international day in December 2000.
What happens on World Refugee Day?
Each year, World Refugee Day is marked by a variety of events in many countries around the globe in support of refugees. These activities are led by or involve refugees themselves, government officials, host communities, companies, celebrities, school children and the general public, among others.