World Refugee Day

About World Refugee Day:

• This day is dedicated to the millions of people who have been forced to escape their homes due to war, persecution, or natural catastrophes. 
• History of World Refugee Day:
  • The first ever World Refugee Day was celebrated on June 20, 2001, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.
  • The day was earlier recognized as Africa Refugee Day, and later in December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially declared it an International Day for Refugees.
• The theme of World Refugee Day 2024 is 'For a World Where Refugees Are Welcomed.'
• Who is a refugee?
• According to the 1951 Refugee Convention, a person is considered a refugee if they are unable to return to their homeland because they have a legitimate fear of being harmed because of their race, religion, involvement in a social group, or differing political opinions.
• Refugees are forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, violence, or other forms of human rights violations. They often arrive in host countries with nothing but the clothes on their backs. 
• Although relocating to a foreign country is the stereotypical picture of a refugee, these international refugees represent a relatively small percentage of all displaced individuals worldwide.
• Other non-typical refugee categories include stateless individuals, who have no country of citizenship claimed against them, and asylum seekers, who travel in search of international protection.
• In 2024, 130.8 million individuals were estimated by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to have been forcibly displaced, or stateless globally, with over 32 million of them being refugees.
• 75% of refugees worldwide reside in low- and middle-income countries, according to UNHCR figures.

About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):

• It protects refugees worldwide and facilitates their return home or resettlement.
• History: It was established by the UNGA in 1950 in the aftermath of the Second World War to help the millions of people who had lost their homes.
• It is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
• It was awarded Nobel Peace Prizes in 1954 and 1981.
• It started the Nansen Refugee Award in 1954 for recognition of outstanding service to the cause of refugees, displaced or stateless people.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland