The United Nations observes World Refugee Day on June 20 every year. The day honours the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their home under threat of persecution, conflict and violence.
According to 2016 reports, 65.6 million people on the globe are forced out their home due to conflict. Nearly 25.5 million refugees, 53% of whom are under the age of 18. On average, at least 20 people have been forced to flee their homes every minute of 2016 – 28,300 every day.
The event recognises the contribution refugees have made for their communities. The theme for World Refugee Day 2019 is ‘Step With Refugees’.
Here are the shocking facts on refugees revealed by the United Nations:
- The UN Refugee Agency launched the hashtag #WithRefugees petition in June 2016 to send a message to governments for co-operation in works related to refugees.
- Ahead of the world observance day, the refugee agency reported that nearly 69 million people who have fled war, violence and persecution were forcibly displaced last year.
- Turkey continued to be the country with the largest number of refugees with the number being 3.5 million at the end of 2017.
- The overall figure of forced displacements in 2017 rose to 68.5 million as the crisis in South Sudan, Congo, Muslims Rohingya from Myanmar continues. Of that, 16.2 million were displaced last year average of 44,00 people per day.
