The appeal by Secretary-General António Guterres comes in a video message for World Refugee Day, observed this Wednesday, 20 June.
In it, he reported that a person was displaced every two seconds during 2017.
“On World Refugee Day, we must all think about what more we can do to help.” The answer, he added, “begins with unity and solidarity.”
Mr. Guterres also expressed deep concern over the rise in the number of refugees who are not receiving the protection they are entitled to. He added that communities, or countries, that provide a safe haven for those fleeing war or persecution should be supported.
Later this year, a Global Compact on Refugees will be presented to the international community meeting at UN Headquarters in New York.
Guterres said it offers “a way forward” while also recognizing the contributions that refugees make to the societies hosting them.
“As long as there are wars and persecution, there will be refugees. On World Refugee Day, I ask you to remember them,” his message continued.
“Their story is one of resilience, perseverance and courage. Ours must be of solidarity, compassion and action.”
Each year on June 20 the United Nations, United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and countless civic groups around the world host World Refugee Day events in order to draw the public's attention to the millions of refugees and Internally displaced persons worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, conflict and persecution.
The annual commemoration is marked by a variety of events in more than 100 countries, involving government officials, humanitarian aid workers, celebrities, civilians and the forcibly displaced themselves.
