For a World Where Refugees Are Welcomed: Collaborative Initiatives Marking World Refugee Day in Albania
UNHCR in Albania
World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the United Nations and observed annually on 20 June, is a day to honor the courage, resilience, and contributions of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. It also shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of those forced to flee.
This year, as the world commemorates World Refugee Day, the latest Global Trends report, published by UNHCR in June 2024, indicates that the number of people forced to flee has increased every year for 12 years, exceeding 120 million by the end of April 2024. In other words, one in every 69 people, or 1.5 per cent of the entire world’s population, is now forcibly displaced.
Against this backdrop, World Refugee Day 2024 underscores the critical need for solidarity with refugees – for a world where refugees are welcomed.
With the number of people forced to flee at a record high and amid widespread conflict, political instability, and economic challenges, the call for solidarity with refugees resonates more profoundly than ever before. Solidarity, among other things, means keeping doors open to people forced to flee, celebrating their strengths and achievements, and finding solutions that include ensuring they have opportunities to thrive in the communities that have welcomed them.
In Albania, collaborative initiatives on World Refugee Day brought together diverse stakeholders, working towards protecting and promoting solutions for asylum-seekers and refugees in Albania, joining the call for solidarity and honoring the strength and courage of millions forced to flee through various platforms and forms.
On 20 June, an event featured inspiring performances by refugee children, showcasing their talents, alongside an exhibition honoring the remarkable contributions of historical and contemporary refugees. The event brought together representatives from the refugee community in Albania, government officials, representatives from embassies, as well as those from UN agencies alongside UNHCR’s donors and partners.
During the gathering, Toshitsuki Kawauchi, UNHCR Representative in Albania, emphasized the crucial nature of solidarity with refugees, stating, "Seeking refuge is not a choice but the only option for many to survive, find peace, and keep their dreams alive. Right now, refugees need our solidarity more than ever." He underscored Albania's long-standing tradition of providing sanctuary and support to those escaping conflict or persecution.
The gestures of solidarity extended beyond the event, as prominent landmarks in Tirana, the Tirana Clock Tower and Air Albania Stadium, were illuminated in blue to symbolize solidarity and support for refugees. This collaborative effort involved the Municipality of Tirana and the Albanian Football Association.
The Municipality of Gjirokastër and Korçë also joined in this solidarity by displaying billboards publicly and sharing messages on their social media channels.
Background on UNHCR Representation in Albania
UNHCR advocates for a strengthened national asylum system and refugee inclusion in line with the Strategy for UNHCR Engagement in Mixed Movements in the Western Balkans. UNHCR supports the government to further align its asylum legal framework with international and EU law. It also advocates for improving access to protection and durable solutions.
For more information on UNHCR’s work and collaborations in Albania regarding the protection and assistance of refugees, asylum-seekers, and individuals at risk of statelessness, you can access the UNHCR biannual factsheet here: https://www.unhcr.org/media/bi-annual-fact-sheet-2024-02-albania
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