Globally, refugees are in crisis.
Because of war and conflict, more people have been forced to flee their homes now than at any time since World War II, reports the International Rescue Committee.
But there are ways to help. June 20, World Refugee Day, marks one of the largest global efforts to raise consciousness for the cause. People all over the world are coming together for a day that encourages everyone to stand up and support those who have been displaced.
"On World Refugee Day, we must all think about what more we can we do to help," writes UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who served as High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015. "As long as there are wars and persecution, there will be refugees. On World Refugee Day, I ask you to remember them."
With the refugee crisis growing and migration policies changing, it can be hard to keep up, but it's so important to do so.
Here's everything you need to know about World Refugee Day.
World Refugee Day is an international day of advocacy hosted by the UN Refugee Agency. It's designed to raise awareness and support for refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced persons who've fled their homes for fear of harm and persecution.
World Refugee Day was formally established in 2001 when the UN General Assembly declared June 20 as the official date.
However, important work for the cause began 50 years prior with the UN's 1951 Refugee Convention, which defined what it means to be a refugee, established a set of basic human rights that every refugee should have, and recognized the scope of the global refugee crisis. In 1967, the UN expanded who could apply for refugee status with the 1967 Protocol.
World Refugee Day takes place every year on June 20.
The number of displaced people in the world is staggering, and the trends of the global refugee crisis are at odds with each other.
On Tuesday, the United Nations Refugee Agency released a report on the global refugee crisis concluding that the numbers of forcibly displaced people across the globe were at a "record high," with a total of 68.5 million people displaced by the end of 2017. The year reportedly marked the largest increase of refugees in a single year with 16.2 million people (roughly 44,500 people a day) fleeing their homes in 2017.
The resettlement of refugees in the U.S., however, is slowing. According to a report from the International Rescue Committee, in fiscal year 2017-2018, the United States will welcome only 21,000 refugees, the lowest number in the history of the U.S. resettlement program.
World Refugee Day hopes to raise awareness about this crisis. Each year, to show solidarity and encourage governments to take action to support refugees, organizations all over the world host events, rallies, and campaigns to advocate for displaced people.
Immigration activists march through Midtown Manhattan to mark World Refugee Day, June 20, 2017 in New York City.Credit: Getty ImagesAs the name implies, World Refugee Day is celebrated, well, all over the world. You can find a map of registered World Refugee Day events near you here.
There are numerous ways to take part in the day, both IRL and online.
In 2016, the UN Refugee Agency launched a campaign called #WithRefugees. It's designed to "promote tolerance and respect for people forced to flee." Citizens are encouraged to use the hashtag to show their support of refugees and to sign a petition asking governments to "ensure every refugee child gets an education, every refugee family has somewhere safe to live, and every refugee can work or learn new skills to make a positive contribution to their community."
In addition to participating online, World Refugee Day encourages you to go out and make your voice heard. In Washington, D.C., the UN Refugee Agency is hosting a concert with Mélat, an R&B singer whose parents fled Ethiopia and moved to the U.S. Meanwhile, in New York, African Communities Together and the City of Refuge Coalition are hosting a march and a rally to advocate for campaigns that support refugees, including Stop the Refugee Ban and Defend Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Those who cannot make an IRL event have other options. Check out Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee, for example, to see where to best lend your support. And in 2018, Global Giving is hosting a matching campaign for donations to World Refugee Day through its partners, which include RefuShe's "Education and Empowerment for Refugee Girls" and Mercy Corps' "Provide Relief for Syrian Refugees."
You can find additional ways to help on World Refugee Day here. No matter how you honor the day, remember the main goal: to advocate for refugees and displaced people.
TopicsActivismSocial Good
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