To commemorate World Refugee Day under the theme “Until Everyone is Safe,” UNHCR, in collaboration with the Turkana County government’s Department of Refugee Services, organized a symbolic walk within the Kakuma Refugee Camp.

This collaborative event brought together major humanitarian organizations, including the World Food Programme (WFP) and The BOMA Project, alongside dedicated refugee community leaders.

The walk served as a powerful, lived representation of the grueling journeys, immense hardships, and profound resilience displayed by refugees as they flee conflict in their home countries to seek safety and sanctuary.

World Refugee Day, which falls each year on 20 June, shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees can not only survive but thrive.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) says that while it is important to protect and improve the lives of refugees every single day, international days like World Refugee Day help to focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution. Many activities held on World Refugee Day create opportunities to support refugees.

World Refugee Day was held globally for the first time on 20 June 2001 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It was originally known as Africa Refugee Day, before the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as an international day in December 2000.

Each year, World Refugee Day is marked by a variety of events in many countries around the globe in support of refugees. These activities are led by or involve refugees themselves, government officials, host communities, companies, celebrities and school children among others.