–Urges Citizens and Foreign Residents to observe the Day
The President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah has by Proclamation declared Tuesday, June 20, 2023 as “World Refugee Day”, and is to be observed throughout the Republic as a Working Holiday.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the World Refugee Day 2023 in Liberia will be celebrated in Monrovia and refugees-concentrated areas including Nimba, Grand Gedeh and Maryland Counties under the theme: “Hope Away From Home”.
The Proclamation further calls on all citizens and foreign residents, national and international organizations as well as government agencies concerned to join the Liberia Refugees Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) to plan and execute appropriate programs befitting the observance of the Day.
“As a founding member of the United Nations, the Government of Liberia reaffirms its commitment to protecting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees”, a Foreign Ministry release further recounted.
The Proclamation indicated that with variety of programs, more than 100 countries will host events with the collaborations of governments, humanitarian aid workers, celebrity, collaborators, and civilians as well as IDPs and refugees themselves.
World Refugee Day serves as a platform to raise awareness and promote solidarity with refugees through social media and radio programs that will enable UNHCR to disseminate information on the different durable solutions, notably voluntary repatriation and local integration.
“World Refugees Day is particularly commemorated to acknowledge the difficulties faced by refugees forced to cross international borders as well as those who remain within their countries as internally displaced persons (IDP)”, the release noted.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted Regulation 55/76, declaring June 20 of each year as World Refugee Day to be celebrated by Member States in recognition of the courage and resilience of more than 50 million persons around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflicts or human rights abuses.
World Refugee Day 2023 Date: World Refugee Day is celebrated annually on June 20 to honour the courage and tenacity of refugees all across the world. The United Nations observes this day in memory of all refugees who were compelled to leave their homes.
The day hopes to generate compassion and empathy for those living as outcasts in unfamiliar countries. ‘Together we mend, learn, and glitter’ is the theme for World Outcast Day this year. According to the United Nations, the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic has shown that cooperation is necessary for success. The UN has mandated that displaced individuals be given more weight in the global framework for medical care.
History of World Refugee Day
The origins of World Displaced Person Day can be traced back to the 1951 United Nations General Assembly’s presentation of the show relating to the situation of outcasts. The legal basis for refugees’ protection was established by this convention, together with the definition of a refugee and their associated rights and obligations.
The Convention also established the UNHCR to be in charge of managing refugee protection and assistance. In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 20 to be World Refugee Day to mark the 50th anniversary of the Refugee Convention. World Refugee Day was first marked in 2001, and ever since then, it has been observed annually to raise awareness of the suffering of refugees and to highlight the fortitude and strength of refugees in the face of hardship.
World Refugee Day Theme 2023
World Refugee Day theme is “hope away from home.”
World Refugee Day Significance
The day serves as chance to recognise the courage and resilience of refugees as well as the challenges they encounter while trying to find safety and start over in their new lives. The day also serves as a reminder of the need of upholding the rights and respect of marginalised people and fostering compassion and empathy for their struggles.
The day intends to advance a more prominent understanding of the displaced person emergency and the experiences of exiles themselves through events, crusades, and various exercises. World Evacuee Day can help by questioning assumptions and misunderstandings about displaced persons and fostering empathy and compassion for their experiences by bringing challenges to light.
