June 20 Is World Refugee Day

Established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 4, 2000, World Refugee Day» acknowledges the plight of refugees and raises awareness of the world’s most vulnerable population.

In 2016, the population of refugees and displaced persons surpassed all previous global records since World War II. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), approximately 65.3 million people are displaced—nearly the combined population of California and Texas. Of this, 21.3 million are refugees» and, of this, women and children comprise about 50 percent». The United Nations defines refugees as people fleeing conflict or persecution. By international statute, refugees are free from being expelled or returned to dangerous situations. Locally, the County of San Diego is the largest refugee resettlement site in the state of California. It is also home to the second largest population in the US of refugees from Horn of Africa.

In 2016, NSDI (Nile Sisters Development Inititiae) participated in Civil Society Strategy Meeting in New York City in advance of the United Nations High-Level Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Immigrants» to stand #WithRefugees and advocate for refugee resettlement in the United States. Additionally, in March 2017, NSDI contributed to the United Nations 61 Commission on the Status of Women. The theme of the 2017 event was Refugee Women Leading Women Worldwide from Abuse to Economic and Social Empowerment».

To learn more about San Diego refugees, download a publication compiled by NSDI: Refugees by Numbers.»
Find additional UN World Refugee Day resources and events. Go»
Find World Refugee Day events in California. Go»
San Diego Refugee Forum World Refugee Day Celebration»
California Proclaims June to be Immigrant Heritage Month Go»