Join us in celebrating the resilience and strength of refugees worldwide. Arden University‘s Refugee and Migrant Resource Hub, created by our Migration and Diversity Research Community and EDI interns, serves as your comprehensive guide to understanding and supporting refugees and migrants.
The Hub covers a wealth of information about being either a migrant or refugee and asylum seeker, explores the impactful work of the UNHCR, and provides you with an array of helpful resources, including films, books, articles, and podcasts. You can gain clarity with our glossary of often misused terms, and find out how to access support as a refugee or asylum seeker in the UK. For students, we offer crucial insights about being a refugee in higher education. You can also visit our Q&A page to learn more about common myths and misconceptions related to refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.
Let's come together to build a community of awareness, compassion, and action!
In this video, Professor Lygo reflects on Arden’s commitment to being a University of Sanctuary and the importance of creating inclusive, supportive spaces for refugees and people seeking asylum.
Who is a Refugee?
If you’ve had to leave your country because of persecution, war, violence, or serious public disorder—and can’t return due to fear for your safety—you may be considered a refugee.
Many refugees flee with very little, leaving behind homes, loved ones, and careers. Some have experienced severe trauma or human rights violations.
There are currently over 35 million refugees worldwide. Of these, 41% are children. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is responsible for protecting around 29.4 million of them.
Facts and figures
- As of mid-2023, there were an estimated 36.4 million refugees worldwide, mostly from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. There were 62.5 million internally displaced persons (due to conflict and violence) at the end of 2022. In recent years, most refugees and asylum seekers have come from only a few countries. Just under 40% are under the age of 18.
- Between 2014 and March 2024, 57,000 people were resettled or relocated to the UK through various schemes.
- According to UNHCR statistics, as of November 2022 there were 231,597 refugees, 127,421 pending asylum cases and 5,483 stateless persons in the UK.
- In 2023, asylum seekers and refugees made up around 11% of immigrants to the UK. If including the British National (Overseas) scheme in the category of humanitarian routes, up to 14% of immigration in that year would fall into that category.
- In 2023, 67,337 applications for asylum were made in the UK, which related to 84,425 individuals (more than one applicant can be included in a single application).
- Not all asylum applications are successful. In 2023, 33% were refused at initial decision (not counting withdrawals). The annual refusal rate was highest in 2004 (88%) and lowest in recent times in 2022 (24%).
- In November 2023 the UK Government published a new international development white paper (PDF) which it described as a “re-energised international development agenda”. It includes four points on forced displacement, including increased global action and calls for refugees and displaced people to be included in national programmes, and improved access to education, particularly for girls who are refugees or displaced.
- In 2023, asylum seekers came from close to 150 extra-EU27 countries.1,129,800 applications, including 1,049,000 first time applications, were lodged in the EU in 2023. Most first-time applications were lodged in Germany (329,000). So far in 2024, The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees recorded around 92,545 asylum applications. In 2023, there were 351,915 thousand applications, which was an increase of over 100,000 compared to the year before.
- Overall, EU countries granted protection to at least 375,100 people in 2023.
- The recently adopted Pact on Migration and Asylum (May 2024) is a set of new rules managing migration and establishing a common asylum system at EU level, designed to manage and normalise migration for the long term. The new migration and asylum rules revolve around four policy pillars: secure external borders, fast and efficient procedures, an effective system of solidarity and responsibility, and embedding migration in international partnerships.
As highlighted by the World Health Organization, refugees, forcibly displaced people and migrants are commonly at risk of experiencing poor living, housing, and working conditions, xenophobia, trafficking, violence, and poor access to health services and education.
What is World Refugee Day?
World Refugee Day, observed on June 20 each year, is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees worldwide. It celebrates the strength and courage of people forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
Why is World Refugee Day important?
World Refugee Day highlights the rights, needs, and dreams of refugees, mobilising political will and resources to help them not only survive but thrive. It focuses global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution and creates opportunities to support refugees through various activities.
When did World Refugee Day Start?
World Refugee Day was first held on June 20, 2001, marking the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Initially known as Africa Refugee Day, it was designated as an international day by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2000.
This year, World Refugee Day focuses on solidarity with refugees – for a world where refugees are welcomed.
Refugees need our solidarity now more than ever. Solidarity means keeping our doors open, celebrating their strengths and achievements, and reflecting on the challenges they face. Solidarity with people forced to flee also means finding solutions to their plight – ending conflicts so they can return home in safety, ensuring they have opportunities to thrive in the communities that have welcomed them, and providing countries with the resources they need to include and support refugees.
Three stories of solidarity #WithRefugees
"We Were Here" is a Webby Award-winning documentary series produced by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and YouTube.
In support of World Refugee Day, these three short films challenge stereotypes about refugees by focusing on what unites us rather than what sets us apart. Refugees in Jordan, Germany, and Uganda collaborated with top YouTube Creators to share their powerful stories.
(Sourced from the UNHCR website)
Bethlehem, Siona, and Miriam, whose band was on the verge of stardom when war broke out in Ukraine, spent time in the studio with UK-based music producer Jax Jones.
This episode features permaculture expert, teacher and Congolese refugee Bemeriki, who’s currently living in the Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement in Uganda.
Mohamed, a Syrian refugee and toymaker, welcomes Swedish inventor Simore Giertz into his workshop in Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan.