United Nations – World Refugee Day

On World Refugee Day, 20 June, France reaffirms its solidarity with those forced to flee their country to escape conflict and persecution. Through its humanitarian action worldwide, France is helping to provide assistance and protection to them and to the host States and communities taking them in.

France reiterates its support to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in implementing its mandate to protect and defend refugees’ rights. It backs the reforms initiated aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the humanitarian response to crises and conflicts and providing lasting solutions for refugee and displaced populations, so that they may live with dignity and return to their countries as soon as the conditions exist.

The strategic partnership between France and the UNHCR is marked this year by the 75^th anniversary celebrations of the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

France supports the UNHCR’s essential action on the ground, in Sudan and the neighbouring countries, the Great Lakes region, Syria, Lebanon and Ukraine, as well as in supporting Afghan refugee women.