Marking World Refugee Day, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih has called on governments, institutions, and communities worldwide to "renew their commitment to protecting refugees and helping them rebuild their lives with dignity".
In a statement released ahead of World Refugee Day, Salih highlighted the resilience of nearly 42 million refugees who have been forced to flee their countries due to war, violence, and persecution. He emphasized that "refugees continue to make valuable contributions to their host communities as workers, students, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and leaders".
"Becoming a refugee should not define a person's life," Salih said, stressing that while refugees are often forced to abandon their homes, they should never be forced to abandon hope for safety, education, and meaningful employment.
The UN refugee chief acknowledged that millions of displaced people remain trapped in long-term dependency on humanitarian assistance, often spending years or even decades waiting for lasting solutions. While emergency aid remains essential, he argued that it should not become a permanent substitute for opportunities and self-reliance.
To address the challenge, Salih announced an ambitious goal for the coming decade: reducing by half the number of refugees living in protracted displacement and relying on humanitarian support. The initiative will focus particularly on low- and middle-income countries, which host the majority of the world's refugee population.
Concluding his message, Salih called on the international community to reaffirm the promise made 75 years ago and ensure that refugees everywhere have access not only to safety, but also to opportunities for a better future.
(aj)
SOURCE: UNHCR