Every year, the world recognizes June 20th as World Refugee Day. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) describes the day as one to honor refugees around the world by acknowledging the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. It is a day to build empathy and understanding for their plight and recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.

World Refugee Day also brings a report on global refugee realities. This report highlights what has happened in the past year in different regions of the world for refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons. You can find a copy of the report here.

Recognizing the resilience of refugees and investing in that resilience is important, complex work. For IAFR and our work in Dzaleka Refugee Camp, it begins by breaking isolation, and visiting our refugee church partners on a regular basis to laugh, pray, worship, share meals, and learn from each other. Experience teaches us that suffering is always greatest when a person feels alone, isolated, and as if no one cares. Resilience is often born through community, and a deep sense that I am not alone.

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