Ahmed Mohsen
Once again, we observe World Refugee Day on 20 June, but this year is different. It comes at a time when the number of displaced people has reached a record high, with more than 122 million people forced to flee their homes. Among them are 42.7 million refugees. But behind these stark umbers are real people whose lives have been upended by war, violence, and persecution. As the world grapples with brutal funding cuts, which are putting millions of lives at even greater risk, the humanitarian community faces one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Yet, in the face of these adversities, we must prioritise our shared humanity and stand in solidarity with refugees.
Across the globe, displacement continues to reach alarming levels. According to UNHCR’s annual Global Trends Report, published on 12th June, the number of forcibly displaced people reached 122.1 million by the end of April 2025, an increase from 120 million at the same time the previous year. This steady rise in displacement is driven largely by conflicts in four countries—Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. Together, they account for more than one-third of all forcibly displaced people worldwide, with Sudan now emerging as the largest displacement crisis, with 14.3 million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Syria follows with 13.5 million, Afghanistan with 10.3 million, and Ukraine with 8.8 million. Over the last decade, displacement has nearly doubled, yet the resources needed to address these urgent humanitarian needs have not kept pace. This gap in resources has created an unsustainable situation, pushing the humanitarian system to its breaking point.
However, there still remains a glimmer of hope in countries such as Syria. With the recent changes in the country’s political landscape, a growing umber of displaced Syrians are cautiously making the journey back, with over 577,000 refugees mostly returning from neighbouring countries by mid-June 2025, at an average rate of 100,000 returns a month since the fall of the previous regime, in addition to some 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have gone back to their hometowns. While the path to return remains fraught with uncertainty, there is a renewed sense of optimism among returnees, who are driven by the desire to rebuild their lives in the land they once called home. However, challenges remain—many returnees face damaged infrastructure, limited access to services, and an economy struggling to recover.
In this context, protection and humanitarian assistance provided by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is all the more vital, and it is made possible by means of strong and longstanding partnerships with countries like the State of Qatar. For over a decade, Qatar has been a steadfast partner to UNHCR, contributing to global humanitarian efforts and responding to the needs of forcibly displaced people in times of crises. Thanks to support from both the government and local entities, Qatar has helped millions of forcibly displaced people worldwide, including through core contributions that enable UNHCR to respond to emergencies and underfunded situations where needs are critical.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of the State of Qatar generously hosts UNHCR’s country office in the UN House in Doha and supports its operation through a multi-year agreement, allowing us to effectively coordinate international humanitarian efforts with Qatar. Qatar’s commitment exemplifies solidarity with all displaced populations in action, setting an example in the region and beyond for making a significant impact on the lives of those in need. This spirit of solidarity is precisely what we reflect on as we observe World Refugee Day.
Today is a day to honour the resilience of those who have lost everything in their search for safety. Those forcibly displaced are not asking for charity; they are asking for the opportunity to live with dignity, to work, to educate themselves, and to contribute to the societies that offer them refuge. True solidarity with displaced people begins with action.
Words of support are not enough; we must go beyond sympathy and take meaningful steps to make a real difference. This World Refugee Day, let us not just acknowledge their suffering but actively commit to providing them with the hope and opportunities they rightfully deserve.
