With a record of 65.6 million people last year forcibly uprooted from their homes by violence and persecution, United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, today called on the international community to provide support and solidarity.
In a video message marking World Refugee Day, marked annually on 20th June, the Secretary-General said, "We reflect on the courage of those who fled and the compassion of those who welcome them."
He noted that more people than ever in our lifetimes are fleeing war, disasters and persecution.
Mr. Guterres recalled horrific stories heard from refugees and displaced persons, whose number rose to 300,000 since the end of 2015. He added that conflicts have displaced 12 million Syrians, 7.7 million Colombians, 4.7 million Afghans and 4.2 million Iraqis, according to a report released yesterday by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR.
Despite the hardships of fleeing with nothing, "they never lose their dreams for their children or their desire to better our world," Mr. Guterres said. "They ask for little, only our support in their time of greatest need and our solidarity."
The UN Secretary-General said it is "so inspiring to see countries with the least doing the most for refugees."
According to the report, about 84 percent of the people were in low- or middle-income countries as of end 2016. Of that figure, one in every three people, roughly 4.9 million, were hosted by the least developed countries.
To mark the Day, Mr. Guterres, will hold a press conference in New York later today.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said that the day is also a moment to recognise those communities and people around the world who receive refugees and the internally displaced in their midst, offering them a safe place, and welcoming them in their societies.

Source: WAM