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Global Issues:
Refugees

, an 800-meter runner, is among the 37 athletes representing the International Olympic Committee Refugee Olympic Team at the Paris Games. Fleeing conflict at age seven, she found refuge in Kenya’s Kakuma camp, where she also discovered her passion for sports. Now, Nakang is set to compete with the aim of achieving her personal best, embodying the resilience and determination of athletes overcoming adversity.

Claver Irakoze, who was 11 during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, sought refuge at a school in Kabgayi, only to witness government soldiers and militias targeting people for execution. Despite enduring profound trauma, he now speaks out to keep the memory of the genocide alive, advocating for remembrance and education to prevent such atrocities in the future.

As Sudan's crisis continues, Chad and South Sudan are increasingly affected, hosting over half of Sudan's more than two million war-displaced refugees who face heightened hunger worsened by the rainy season.

In Uganda, amidst the challenges of refugee life, women like Grace Poni, Annet Luka, and Veronica Konga have defied stereotypes and built brighter futures. Grace's determination as a skilled bricklayer has not only provided financial stability for her family in Imvempi Refugee Settlement but has also enabled her to construct her own home. Annet's resilience as the only female carpenter in Omugo II settlement showcases her commitment to challenging gender norms while envisioning a future where she mentors other women in carpentry. Meanwhile, Veronica's journey from subsistence farming to metal fabrication highlights her entrepreneurial spirit, aiming to establish her own business despite the obstacles of limited resources. These women exemplify the transformative impact of vocational training and empowerment programs, not only on their own lives but also on the communities that host them in Uganda.

"Thread of Hope" is an animated short film showcasing the resilience and creativity of refugee women, emphasizing empowerment through craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

This year, World Refugee Day focuses on solidarity with refugees – for a world where refugees are welcomed. Refugees need our solidarity now more than ever. Solidarity means keeping our doors open, celebrating their strengths and achievements, and reflecting on their challenges. Solidarity with people forced to flee also means finding solutions to their plight – ending conflicts so they can return home safely, ensuring they have opportunities to thrive in the communities that have welcomed them, and providing countries with the resources they need to include and support refugees.

Refugee camps force children to mature prematurely, stripping away their childhood and thrusting them into harsh realities.

Navigating the transition from education to employment is a pivotal moment for young people, but for refugees, this journey is often compounded by significant challenges. With over 50% of refugees being under 25, they face disrupted education, trauma from displacement, limited networks, and the complexities of adapting to new cultures and languages. This not only hinders their personal development but also results in a vast waste of talent for their societies, potentially trapping another generation in dependency cycles.

In this podcast episode, we hear from two inspiring young refugees, Mashimbo Rose Nafisa and Joel Amani Mafigi, who have not only overcome these hurdles but have also dedicated their careers to empowering fellow young refugees. Their advocacy extends to the global stage, as they prepare to attend the  Youth Forum in New York, where they will champion better work opportunities for young refugees on an international platform.

The South Sudanese refugee population, with over 65% children, is the largest refugee situation in Africa. They live in precarious conditions, worsened by drought and food insecurity. This protracted situation is Africa's largest refugee crisis. Despite efforts toward peace, South Sudan still faces violence, food insecurity, and flooding. To help alleviate the situation, the UN Refugee Agency () will launch the South Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan on Thursday, March 28. The humanitarian initiative will address the needs of 2.2 million refugees in 2024.

Since 2014, millions of Ukrainians have been displaced by war. Yana Liubymova fled the city of Kadiivka in 2014 and settled in the city of Starobilsk, where she co-founded "The Effective Community" to help displaced people integrate into new communities. In 2020, she became the head of the Council for Internally Displaced People in the Luhansk region. However, on 24 February 2022, she had to flee again as Starobilsk came under Russian occupation. Yana helped others fleeing to find accommodation and access needed help, and after 4 months, she moved to Kyiv for a job at the Ombudsperson’s Office. Her focus remains on those displaced from the Luhansk region and on creating conditions for voluntary return after the Ukrainian government regains control over occupied areas. 

shares firsthand accounts from refugees, aid workers, and experts on the ground about the challenges and the critical assistance being provided due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

is the first online platform in Türkiye to also provide therapy in people's native languages, founded by Jin Dawod, a former Syrian refugee. 

Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett and Ke Huy Quan opened the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva with a performance of JJ Bola’s stunning poem “Refuge.”

The world’s largest gathering on refugee issues closed with over 1,600 pledges of action and financial commitments worth an estimated $2.2 billion.  Filippo Grandi praised the "determined unity” shown by participants, who – in the face of global division and crises – pledged transformative action on behalf of refugees and the countries hosting them. The came as the global refugee population has reached a record level of 36.4 million, with a total population of the forcibly displaced of 114 million people.