PREETA LAW
EVERY year on June 20, the world marks World Refugee Day, a day to honour the strength and resilience of those compelled to flee their homes in the face of conflict, war, persecution or human rights abuses.
In 2025, this day offers us a powerful moment to stand with forcibly displaced people in Zambia, to honour their journeys, and to reaffirm our collective commitment to supporting them with action.
It is a day to raise awareness of the many challenges refugees face and to inspire global solidarity in upholding their fundamental rights to safety, dignity and opportunity.
The first Refugee Day was established on June 20, 2001 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention.
The convention defines who is a refugee and makes clear the legal obligation of states to protect a refugee’s rights.
This year’s theme for the day, “Solidarity with refugees”, reflects the pressing need for collective action to help the 122.6 million forcibly displaced people worldwide.
It is crucial to remember that behind each figure lies a unique individual, each with their own story and aspirations.
Zambia alone hosts some 111,000 forcibly displaced people who have sought safety and hope for a better future in this peaceful country.
Unfortunately, in times of economic strain, solidarity with forcibly displaced populations can diminish, making it even more difficult for people seeking asylum and refuge to access safety, protection and solutions to their displacement.
Yet, it is precisely in these moments of crisis that our shared responsibility to protect the most vulnerable without discrimination becomes most urgent.
Zambia’s solidarity with people forced to flee their countries has been evident for more than two decades and is exemplified by the Zambia Initiative that started in 2001.
The country has taken concrete steps to adopt a sustainable response to forced displacement.
The National Refugee Policy launched in 2024 promotes self-reliance among refugees and their hosting communities, reduces dependency on humanitarian aid and fosters socio-economic development in parts of the country hosting refugees. Importantly, the refugee policy also outlines the changes Zambia aims to make to remove administrative and legal barriers that prevent forcibly displaced people from seeking local solutions like residency and harmonising key legal frameworks and procedures with the policy.
In July 2024, Zambia participated in a round-table discussion in Berlin on sustainable responses to forced displacement organised by the German government and UNHCR and announced its commitment to integrating refugees in national development efforts.
These progressive aims, which will support refugees to better integrate into Zambian society and contribute to the development of the country, are part of Zambia’s Refugee and Host Community Project, financed by the World Bank.
The funds provided to Zambia under this project will improve the nation’s refugee management systems through harmonisation of laws with the National Refugee Policy, inclusion of refugees in the national digital identity management system, construction of climate-smart infrastructure, and access to sustainable energy.
But certain impediments to asylum and legal restrictions on refugees in the country continue. For refugees, these restrictions impede their full integration into Zambian society.
For example, Zambia’s encampment policy means refugees must live in designated settlements unless they obtain specific permits to reside elsewhere, limiting their access to broader economic opportunities and their opportunities to contribute to the development of the country.
Zambia’s National Refugee Policy holds transformative potential for asylum seekers, refugees and the communities that host them.
Despite the challenges, with sustained inclusive planning and strategic procedural and legal changes, Zambia can strengthen its position as a leader in upholding the 1951 Refugee Convention and effective protection for refugees in the country.
This World Refugee Day, we are reminded that solidarity is not just a principle; it is a call to action.
By standing with refugees, we uphold their dignity, unlock their potential, and strengthen the social fabric of our communities.
In an era of growing global uncertainty, Zambia’s inclusive and forward-thinking approach offers a powerful model for how compassion, policy and partnership can come together to build a more resilient and united future.
The author is UNHCR representative in Zambia.
