Every minutes 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror. There are several types of forcibly displaced persons. Across the world there are currently over 68.5 million men, women and children displaced by violence, conflict and prosecution worldwide. Some have settled in new countries; many more are living in refugee camps, waiting for it to be safe enough to go home or to be resettled in a different country. 68.5 million people means that nearly one in 100 people in the world is a displaced person or refugee. We are now facing the worst refugee crisis in history. The number of refugees has doubled in the last 20 years.

Of 68.5 million people displaced, of which over 25 million people worldwide are living outside their countries to escape violence and persecution. Refugees leave nearly everything behind to seek safety: their homes, their jobs, and their families.

When refugees arrive to a new country, nearly two out of three settles in an urban area. Cities and communities’ benefit from their tenacity and courage. Welcoming refugees creates opportunities for economic, civic and social growth. The diversity of experiences and ideas refugees bring spurs creativity and innovation.

The year 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. The UN General Assembly decided that June 20th would be celebrated as World Refugee Day from 2001 onwards. World Refugee Day is about raising awareness of the situation and showing the refugees that together we can work to end the crisis and help displaced people to find safe and happy homes.

World Refugee Day – Events in Your Community

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