Ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, highlighted the scale of displacement, with nearly 42 million people forced to flee their home countries due to conflict, violence and persecution.
Salih emphasised that refugees contribute meaningfully to societies when given opportunities. “Given the opportunity, they rebuild their lives and help strengthen the societies around them,” Salih said.
However, Salih warned that many refugees remain trapped in prolonged displacement, relying on limited humanitarian assistance. “Millions find themselves trapped in dependency, relying on a dwindling amount of aid,” Salih said.
Salih stressed that displacement should not define a person’s future. “Being a refugee is meant to be a temporary condition, not a lifelong fate,” Salih said.
To address this, Salih outlined an ambitious goal to halve the number of refugees in long-term displacement within 10 years, focusing particularly on low- and middle-income countries that host most refugees.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for renewed global solidarity as conflict continues to drive displacement. “As divisions deepen millions seek safety far from home,” Guterres said.
Guterres said the current global climate requires stronger collective action. “These turbulent times call for renewed solidarity and robust action,” Guterres said.
The appeal comes as humanitarian funding faces increasing pressure, while protracted conflicts continue to displace populations for years or even decades.
The UN said efforts must go beyond emergency aid to include long-term solutions that enable refugees to access work, education, healthcare and social protection systems.
The call also coincides with the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, which established the right to seek asylum. “We must continue to uphold that promise. Until everyone is safe, none of us is safe,” Salih said.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees is using this year’s World Refugee Day campaign to mobilise support, particularly among young people, under the theme “Until Everyone is Safe.”
Officials said the campaign aims to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusion, while reinforcing the need to address root causes of displacement.
Salih said progress will depend on shifting from crisis management to long-term solutions. “It is how we can move from merely managing displacement to resolving it,” Salih said.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
