“World Refugee Day 2025: Standing Together for Hope, Home & Humanity”
Caritas Internationalis has released a statement that paints a bleak picture of global instability, multiple conflicts, and reduced funding and political commitment for refugees.
It rejects the "normalisation of conflict and war," and urges us to follow the words of the late Pope Francis. "..we should strive to welcome, protect, promote and integrate," it says.
Today, the sprawling settlement in Cox’s Bazar holds over 931,000 displaced people, trapped in limbo, stateless and largely forgotten by the outside world.
19 June 2025
So far in 2025 we have seen an unprecedented increase in the number of refugees and displaced people, especially in conflict afflicted countries and territories such as Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gaza.
The 2025 UNHCR Annual Global Trends Report records 122.1 million forcibly displaced people worldwide by the end of April 2025, of whom 42.7 million are refugees who have fled their countries. This represents an alarming increase. World Refugee Day, marked on 20th of June each year, highlights the strength and resilience of refugees around the globe. This year in particular Caritas Internationalis calls on communities, governments, and international organisations to work together to maintain and increase humanitarian funding, keep borders open to those seeking asylum and address the root causes of forced displacement.
In 2025 one major concern is the significant reduction in global financial humanitarian aid, with major cuts coming from the US and other donors. As a result, refugees have been affected the most. For example, Sudanese refugees in Chad have been cut off from access to basic needs such as food, shelter, education and health care. This has also forced some to try their chances in crossing Libya to reach Europe, putting many lives at risk in the process.
While some refugees express a desire to return to their home countries, this process must be handled with care and consideration. The principle of voluntary return emphasises that it must be based on a free and informed decision, without any coercion. Safe and dignified returns require several key conditions: Physical security, safety in areas of return and legal safety and aid. It is also important to consider the provisions of services and livelihood opportunities as well as psycho-social assistance to support refugees’ durable return and smooth reintegration. Durable solutions frameworks should specifically consider children’s different needs and experiences. It is essential to guarantee the rights of children throughout their migration experience, including the entire return journey
For those who were displaced in Syria, both internally and externally, returning home poses many challenges mainly due to the instability of the country. With the recent aid cuts, many are unable to rebuild destroyed homes. However, success stories of voluntary return programs show that, when properly implemented with adequate support and monitoring, refugees can rebuild their lives in their home countries. It is crucial to recognise though that return is not always the best or safest option, and alternative solutions must remain available.
Recent trends show an alarming increase in border restrictions across various regions. The Schengen area has seen stricter controls, while the US-Mexico border situation continues to be a humanitarian challenge. These restrictions often force refugees to take more dangerous routes, putting their lives at risk, and also strengthen the human trafficking networks.
Ahead of the UNHCR High Level Officials meeting, a mid-term review of the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees, due to take place in Geneva in December 2025, accountability should be a priority: governments and stakeholders should be held accountable for their pledges made. These include easing pressures on host countries to enhance refugee self-reliance, expanding access to third-country solutions, and supporting conditions in countries of origin for safe and dignified return.
The picture this year given global instability, multiple conflicts and reduced funding and political commitment is bleak. As we celebrate World Refugee Day 2025, we reject the normalisation of conflict and war, as well as recalling that refugee protection and integration are a shared responsibility. From the words of the late Pope Francis in the context of refugees and migration, we should strive to “welcome, protect, promote and integrate”.
These words are reflected in the lived experiences of refugees like Avin (name changed for privacy), a young woman from Syria now living in the UK.
“Coming to the UK brought new challenges. I had to learn a new language, adapt to a different culture, and start over from nothing. But the kindness of people here helped me feel very welcome. I’ve made new friends, continued my education, and found a sense of safety that I had lost for so long. I am grateful for the support I have received, and I hope that one day Syria will be safe again. Until then, I carry my homeland in my heart, and I will keep moving forward, just like millions of other refugees around the world”.
Caritas Internationalis believes that individual stories of resilience and solidarity like that of Avin bring hope for a better way to respect and protect human dignity.
