World Refugee Day 2025

World Refugee Day 2025

Stand with Those Uprooted by Crisis

Standing with Refugees

On World Refugee Day, we stand with all refugees whose lives have been upended by conflict, persecution, and climate disaster—especially the women and children at the heart of the global displacement crisis.

Today, more than 123 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced from their homes. That includes refugees, asylum seekers, and those displaced within their own countries. It means 1 in every 67 people on the planet is living without the safety and stability of a home.

While displacement affects entire communities, it’s women and children who face the greatest risks—and who carry the heaviest burdens. They make up 75% of the displaced population.

Children account for 40% of the world’s displaced—many growing up without access to education, security, or the basic stability every child deserves. Women often shoulder the responsibility of holding their families together, leading them through unimaginable hardship with strength and resilience. Yet they also face added dangers in displacement settings, including gender-based violence and other serious threats to their health, safety, and well-being.

At ShelterBox, we know that a sturdy tent, a warm blanket, and a light to chase away the dark are more than just tools for survival. They are lifelines. And for families who have lost everything, they offer a path forward.

Please, take action today. Stand with refugees. Support ShelterBox’s mission to ensure no one is left without shelter in their darkest hour.

Outside their temporary shelter, these Syrian children remind us that even in crisis, childhood continues.

Zara's Story

When unimaginable violence broke out in her village, Zara fled Sudan with her children.

They went from house to house, killing people in my community. We saw our loved ones murdered. We left everything behind to stay alive.”

Since April 2023, conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region has uprooted millions. Zara walked for days with her children to reach Chad. Her husband stayed behind.

Now, life in the camp is filled with uncertainty. There’s no school, no work—and water is a 12-mile walk away.

Before the war, we had peace. Our children were in school. We had what we needed. Now, we live day to day.”

ShelterBox, alongside local partner Help Tchad, is providing families like Zara’s with sturdy shelters, solar lights, water carriers, and sleeping mats—critical tools that offer safety and a sense of stability.

Zara’s hope is simple: “To live in peace with my children. To feel safe again.”

This World Refugee Day, take action for families like Zara’s. Your support brings more than shelter—it brings the hope of home.

FAQs: Refugees and Asylum Seekers

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Who is a refugee?

Under the United Nations Refugee Convention, a refugee is someone who has fled their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution and is unable or unwilling to return for protection. To qualify as a refugee, individuals must demonstrate that their fear of persecution is based on specific factors such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

What’s an asylum seeker?

An asylum seeker is someone who has arrived in a country and formally requested asylum. Until a decision is made on their refugee status, they remain an asylum seeker. In the U.S., asylum seekers do not have the same rights as refugees or U.S. citizens. While their application is pending, they face restrictions, such as being unable to work without special permission, and often have limited access to public benefits or social services.

Seeking asylum is a legal right available to everyone. It is not illegal to seek asylum, as it is a recognised legal process. Likewise, being refused asylum is not a criminal act – it simply means that the strict criteria required to qualify as a refugee have not been met.

What’s the difference between refugees and internally displaced people?

The key distinction between refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) is whether they cross an international border in search of safety. Refugees leave their home country to escape persecution, war, or violence, seeking refuge beyond national boundaries. In contrast, IDPs are forced to flee their homes due to similar threats but remain within their own country’s borders.

Are refugees allowed to work?

In the U.S., people seeking asylum are not allowed to work while their case is pending, and many must survive for months without income, relying on limited or no government support.

What problems do refugees face?

Refugees endure numerous hardships, from the trauma of displacement to difficulties accessing vital resources and adjusting to new communities. These challenges span immediate concerns, such as securing shelter and food, to long-term struggles like language barriers, unemployment, and mental health issues. Additionally, many refugees face the emotional burden of leaving their homes, often due to war, crises, or environmental disasters.

How can I help displaced individuals?

Our vision is for a future where no one is without shelter after disaster or conflict – whether they can stay in their country, or have to flee elsewhere.

Donate – Your contribution helps us deliver emergency shelter and essential supplies to people who have lost their homes.

Stay informed – Sign up to our Newsletters to receive updates on our work, the people we support and ways you can get involved.

Volunteer – Get involved by offering your time and skills to support our work and make a difference with us.

Man carrying shelter kit from a boat to land

Stay Up to Date

Featuring the latest news from the field, stories of families who we’ve helped and exciting fundraising campaigns that you can be a part of, you won’t want to miss out.

SUPPORT THIS VITAL WORK

Donate now to help people who have lost their homes to disaster by providing emergency shelter and essential equipment.

Make an Impact

Whatever skills, knowledge or time you have to volunteer, you can play a vital part in this process. All we need is your passion.

World Refugee Day