On this World Refugee Day, we acknowledge the courage, strength and dignity of people forced to flee their homes due to war, violence, persecution and climate catastrophe. We also honour the compassion and solidarity shown by individuals, communities and nations that welcome those seeking refuge.
In 2025, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has surpassed 120 million. This is a harrowing milestone, driven by continued conflict in Europe, Africa, Gaza and Asia, alongside the growing impact of climate crises that are rendering entire regions uninhabitable.
Earlier this year, the loss of lives off the Tunisian coast, including families and children, served as a stark reminder of the human cost of displacement.
It echoed the tragedies in the English Channel and across the Mediterranean in recent years.
These devastating events reveal a simple but urgent truth: when safe and legal routes are unavailable, people are driven to take dangerous and desperate journeys.
This day reaffirms a principle at the heart of our shared humanity: everyone has the right to seek safety, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or why they flee.
That is why we all share a responsibility to uphold the protections set out in international law:
The right to seek asylum is a fundamental human right
People escaping violence or persecution must be allowed to cross borders safely
No one should be denied protection because of their race, religion, gender or country of origin
No one should be sent back to a place where their life or freedom would be at risk
Governments have a collective duty to protect refugees. This cannot be outsourced, avoided or delayed. Beyond safety, people forced to flee must be given the chance to recover, to work and to learn.
Whether they return home or rebuild their lives in a new country, they must be able to do so with dignity and security.
As a community shaped by emigration into a global diaspora, we know that refugees and migrants enrich the countries they live in, contributing skills, fostering growth, and adding cultural vibrancy.
Our own history compels us to stand with those who are displaced and to speak out for policies based on fairness, compassion and protection.
Our shared humanity must guide not only how we treat refugees, but also how we support the countries that welcome them, even as they face their own challenges.
Brian Dalton | CEO | Irish in Britain
Gerard McHale | Chair | Irish in Britain