World Refugee Day
is observed on June 20 each
year. The day is dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees
throughout the world. The theme for 2019 World Refugee day is #StepWithRefugees — Take A Step on World
Refugee Day. The theme expects communities, schools,
businesses, faith groups and people from all walks of life should take big and
small steps in solidarity with refugees.
Refugee is a person who has
been forced to leave their country in order to escape
war, persecution, or natural disaster.
History:
The United Nations General Assembly
decided that from 2000, 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day. The
General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of
Refugees.
Prior to 2000, the African Refugee Day had been formally celebrated in several
countries. The Organization of African Unity
(OAU) had agreed to decision of UN to observe the International
Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day on 20 June.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
♦ Formed on: 14 December 1950
♦ Headquarters: Geneva,
Switzerland
♦ High Commissioner for Refugees:
Filippo Grandi
The Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, also known as the UN Refugee Agency,
is a United Nations programme. It aim to protect refugees, forcibly displaced
communities and stateless people, and assist in their voluntary repatriation,
local integration or resettlement to a third country.
