BY ESTHER MUTURI
World Refugee Day is an international day celebrated on 20th June and is designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe.
Every year, the world observes World Refugee Day to highlight the plight and vulnerability of refugees across the world.
The day is a reminder of the challenges faced by millions of people forced to flee their homes and countries.
This day offers an opportunity to create awareness and advocate for the rights of refugees.
World Refugee Day celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
World Refugee Day is important because it shines a light on the rights, needs, and dreams of refugees, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees can not only survive but also thrive.
It’s important to protect and improve the lives of refugees every single day.
International days like World Refugee Day help to focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution. Many activities held on this day creates opportunities to support refugees.
World Refugee Day was held globally for the first time on 20 June 2001, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.
It was originally known as Africa Refugee Day, before the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as an international day in December 2000.
Following this year’s theme, “Hope Away From Home,” it highlights the resilience and challenges faced by refugees, who lost everything.
Each year, World Refugee Day is marked by a variety of events in many countries around the globe in support of refugees. These activities are led by or involve refugees themselves, government officials, host communities, companies, celebrities, school children, and the general public, among others.
Protecting refugees is a primary responsibility of states, however, with the current inflation resulting from Russia Ukraine war countries like Kenya are finding it hard to keep refugees as required by the recognized standards.
In recent news reports, Refugees in four camps in Daadab began receiving smaller food rations after international funding has been greatly reduced.
UNHCR says these refugees living in IFO 1 and IFO 2 camps, Hagadera and Dagahley will have to receive a lower allocation of food from 80% to 50%.