Palestinian children play in an alley at Balata refugee camp on the occasion of Palestinian Children's Day near the West Bank city of Nablus, April 5, 2023. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that the international community has the duty and obligation to protect refugees and open more avenues of support.
UNITED NATIONS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Refugees need and deserve support and solidarity, not "closed borders and pushbacks," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday.
"Refugees represent the very best of the human spirit," Guterres said in a message to mark the World Refugee Day, which falls on June 20.
He cited the "startling statistic" of more than 100 million people living in countries rocked by conflict, persecution, hunger and climate chaos, who have been forced to flee their homes.
These are individual women, children and men making difficult journeys, often facing violence, exploitation, discrimination and abuse, Guterres said.
He stressed that the international community has the duty and obligation to protect refugees and open more avenues of support.
Guterres highlighted solutions to resettle refugees, calling for greater international support for host countries to boost access to quality education, decent work, health care, housing and social protection.
"And we need much stronger political will to make peace, so refugees can return safely to their homes," said the UN chief.
Noting this year's theme of the world day is "Hope Away from Home," Guterres called on the international community to harness the hope that refugees carry in their hearts.
"Let's match their courage with the opportunities they need, every step of the way," he said. ■
