Join us this June 20th to celebrate World Refugee Day to honour the strength and courage of refugees who’ve been forced to flee their homes. Stand in solidarity with refugees this year to understand why people are forced to move, how you can help and celebrate the rich contribution refugees bring to the new countries they inhabit.
The reality of refugees today
The 1951 Refugee Convention defines a refugee as someone forced to leave their country to escape war or violence and who has a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, political opinion or social group, unable to return home until conditions are safe for them.
With over 123 million people displaced people worldwide, including over 47 million children, the World Health Organisation shows that many of those don’t have access to health systems.
As long-term displacement rises, 70% of refugees are hosted in low and middle-income countries in Urban areas where legal and social barriers prevent access to health, as many wait over a decade to receive any legal recognition.
Reasons why people migrate
- Drought. Millions of subsistence farmers are unable to grow food and feed themselves in countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. Droughts also leave people without access to clean water, often causing people to use dirty water as an alternative.
- Flooding. After Hurricane Mathew hit Haiti in 2016, over 1.5 million citizens (10% of the population) needed humanitarian aid. Climate events including drought and flooding could result in 1.4 billion climate refugees by 2060, estimates a 2017 report.
- War and conflict. In Myanmar over 75% of the Muslim population fled to Bangladesh after eight years of the Rohingya crisis. There are over 6 million displaced people due to conflicts in The Democratic Republic of Congo.
Refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers
Often refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers are considered the same thing. In reality asylum-seekers are people who have fled their homes to claim international protection, but haven’t yet received it.
In reality all refugees start as an asylum-seeker but not all are given refugee status. Migrants are those who move between homes or countries, not due to violence or persecution like refugees but often for equally serious reasons including economic crises.
Myths, misconceptions and problems faced by refugees
Discrimination, misinformation and stereotypes towards refugees is causing an increase in hate crimes and forcing many countries into adopting more punitive measures towards refugees such as ending family reunification schemes and deportations of long-term residents (including the scrapped UK plan to deport refugees of diverse nationalities to Rwanda).
Many refugees spend huge amounts to leave a dangerous situation and travel, and the UNHCR estimates that 75% live in poverty. Although 70% have the right to work legally, they are often denied financial services, unemployment compensation and access to social security. While 22% of refugees live in camps, the other 78% live in big cities and struggle to find safe and affordable housing with decent conditions.
What the facts say
- High-income countries host 24% of Refugees. Turkey is the biggest host country for refugees, with most coming from Syria according to Rescue.org
- 70% of refugees come from neighbouring countries.
- 73.5 million are internally displaced people.
- 52% of all global refugees come from three countries: Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine.
- Seeking asylum is a universal human right, included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- 4.4 million stateless people residing in 101 countries were reported in 2024 accordion to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
How you can help
- Educate yourself and others about refugees and misinformation. Learn the facts that counter negative stereotypes based on misleading claims and prejudice.
- Advocate for safe resettlement of refugees into your community. Write to local politicians to let them know their constituents support refugees being resettled into your community.
- Support refugee businesses. Negative stereotypes say that refugees take more in benefits than they pay in taxes. Facts show the contrary, and many businesses founded by refugees create jobs and generate wealth worth over £6.6 billion.
- Join local refugee projects and events. Get involved in spaces and events in your community organised by migrants to strengthen local connections and support networks.
Support communities, join The Revolution
Join our community dedicated to supporting marginalised communities, access to digital rights and sustainable transition on this World Refugee Day 2025. Follow us on social media for updates and inspiring stories.
Join our community dedicated to supporting marginalised communities, access to digital rights and sustainable transition on this World Refugee Day 2025. Follow us on social media for updates and inspiring stories.
Participate in live community engagement sessions and sign up for our email newsletter to stay informed and inspired. Let’s work together to protect people, planet and safe migration for communities at risk. Together, let’s make a difference to celebrate the resilience, value and contribution of refugees worldwide. Happy World Refugee Day!