A global day honoring the strength and courage of refugees worldwide, and highlighting their right to safety and protection.
Date20 June
TopicHuman Rights & Equality
Established2001
Ways to observe this day
Listen to real refugee stories or watch documentaries about their journeys
Donate to trusted organizations supporting refugees
Volunteer with local initiatives helping refugee families integrate
In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution designating June 20 as World Refugee Day, first observed in 2001 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Since then, it has grown into a global observance involving governments, organizations, and local communities.
Tens of millions of people worldwide are forcibly displaced by war, persecution, and violence, leaving behind their homes and belongings in search of safety. Refugees face serious challenges, including loss of livelihoods, separation from family, difficulty integrating into new communities, and at times discrimination.
World Refugee Day aims to build empathy and international solidarity with refugees, reaffirm their right to seek asylum and protection, and highlight their stories of resilience and the contributions they make to the communities that host them.