What Is World Refugee Day?

Refugees are individuals who have fled to another country in order to seek safety from threats in their own country, like political or religious persecution, war, conflict, famine, climate change, and more. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are over 20 million refugees around the world, and over 80 million individuals have been forcibly displaced due to violence, human rights violations, conflict, persecution, or events seriously disturbing public order.

Due to the circumstances forcing them from their homes, refugees are a vulnerable group of people who need help and protection. While these individuals should be defended and offered safety every day, the United Nations has designated June 20th as World Refugee Day each year.

World Refugee Day was celebrated globally for the first time on June 20th, 2001. This marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Since its conception, World Refugee Day has stood as a specific day to honor and celebrate the courage and strength of refugees. The day also serves as a way to raise awareness about the plight of refugees and the ways that others around the world can help them. The occasion helps to build understanding and empathy for the difficulties refugees face, and to commemorate their resilience as they work to rebuild their lives.

The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) advocates for the rights of all uprooted people, including refugees, internally displaced persons, and migrants. Our efforts include protecting internally displaced children in Burkina Faso, providing assistance to Afghan refugees with our partner agencies, taking part in activism against gender-based violence towards Syrian refugees in Jordan, aiding Ukrainian refugees, and more.

We rely on donations to fund our critical work and continue changing lives. Find out how you can make a difference and help migrants, internally displaced persons, and refugees in need today!

About the International Catholic Migration Commission

The International Catholic Migration Commission is a nonprofit organization that protects, serves, and advocates for displaced people throughout the world. We help refugees, asylum-seekers, victims of human trafficking, and migrants of all faiths, races, and ethnicities forge lives in safety and dignity.

With support from people like you, ICMC delivers humanitarian aid and social development, protects vulnerable migrants, contributes to refugee resettlement efforts, advocates before governments, and partners with civic leaders. We seek a sustainable solution to dangerous migration and refugee crises.

Find out more by visiting our website.