From East, Central and West Africa, celebrations mark the spirit and courage of the millions of people forced to flee their homes. (WORLD REFUGEE DAY 2019)
From fashion shows to dance, sports events to walks – millions of people around Africa are taking part in various activities to mark World Refugee Day. Today, as we celebrate the spirit, strength and courage of the millions of women, men and children forced to flee, we also take note of the staggering levels of forced displacement globally – which have continued to rise to record levels.
World Refugee Day falls each year on June 20 and is dedicated to recognize the courage and endurance of those who have been forced to flee from their homes by conflict, war and persecution.
Kebribeyah camp, Ethiopia
Somali singer Yurub Geeny joined refugees in Kebribeyah camp in the Somali region of Ethiopia to celebrate World Refugee Day. The singer, who’s widely loved and celebrated by refugees in the region, was in the camp for a week to mark World Refugee week. She performed for the refugees and danced with them, mentored refugee talents and even took plenty of selfies with them. She also gave a short speech on the dangers of onward movement.
Goudoubo camp, Burkina Faso
The event was marked with various activities including song,dance and tree planting in Goudoubo camp, which hosts mostly Malian refugees.
Rwamwanja settlement, Uganda
UNHCR, the Office of the Prime Minister in Uganda, partner agencies and Ugandans joined refugees to mark World Refugee Day with colourful events in Rwamwanja refugee settlement, in south-western Uganda. Large numbers of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Somalia, Burundi and Rwanda attended the event.
Refugees presented various cultural songs and dances, contemporary performances, dramas depicting the lives of refugees and even martial arts such as taekwondo. Hundreds of people participated in solidarity walks and runs, organised by UNHCR partners in line with the #StepWithRefugees campaign.
Conservation of environment was the main theme for the celebrations and participants planted hundreds of trees to show their commitment to environmental protection across Uganda.
Juba, South Sudan
The day was marked by colorful festivities in Juba where refugees joined UNHCR staff who took part in a catwalk to exhibit cultural dresses. There were cultural dances and exhibitions by various dance groups and women’s groups.
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Urban refugee entrepreneurs set up a vibrant market in downtown Kinshasa to mark the event. They showcased and sold handmade clothes, jewelry, art and food.
Lusaka, Zambia
“We could all be refugees,” Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu took a step with refugees for World Refugee Day. President Lungu, together with UNHCR country staff and government officials covered 10 kilometers to show their solidarity with the campaign.
Zambia hosts more than 49,000 refugees.
