#WorldRefugeeDay – Every two seconds someone is forced to flee their home as a result of conflict and persecution

In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly established June 20 as “World Refugee Day” as an expression of solidarity, awareness and responsibility towards displaced persons.

Refugees are people fleeing conflict and persecution. Their status and protection are defined by international law, and they must not be expelled or returned to situations where their lives and freedoms are at risk.

Added to these are the internally displaced persons, those people who flee their homes for reasons similar to those that motivate the flight of refugees, but who do not cross an international border.

70,8 MILLION HUMAN BEINGS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO FLEE THEIR HOMES

Currently, the UN reports the highest levels of displacement ever recorded. Worldwide, every two seconds someone is forced to flee their home as a result of conflict and persecution; thus, 70,8 million people have been forced to flee their homes, including 25,9 million refugees, more than half of whom are under 18.

Furthermore, it is estimated that there are 10 million stateless people who have been denied a nationality and access to basic rights such as education, health, employment and freedom of movement.

In June 2016, UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, launched the campaign #WithRefugees to ask governments to collaborate and fulfill their duty in relation to those suffering from this situation.