UNHCR Celebrates World Refugee Day with Football Match in Southern Belize Community

In honour of World Refugee Day, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) organised a football match in Trio Village, bringing together refugees and local community members. The event saw participation from numerous UN agencies, humanitarian and development partners, and civil society organisations.

World Refugee Day, designated by the United Nations, celebrates the resilience and bravery of those forced to flee their homes due to conflict or persecution. This year, the focus is on fostering solidarity with refugees and promoting a world where they are welcomed and supported.

Worldwide, over 120 million people are forcibly displaced, including 43.5 million refugees. UN Resident Coordinator Raul Salazar echoed the UN Secretary General’s message, emphasising the importance of honouring the strength and courage of refugees and enhancing efforts to protect and support them throughout their journey. This day underscores the need to assist and welcome refugees, uphold their human rights, including the right to seek asylum, maintain the integrity of the refugee protection regime, and ultimately resolve conflicts to enable their return home.

Belize hosts more than 4,000 refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

“Celebrating this day helps us reflect on our progress and share our stories with the world,” said Jonathan, a Honduran refugee living in Belize for 11 years. “Today, I felt immense joy being part of something significant, momentarily forgetting the struggles my family and I have faced. I encourage everyone to learn more about refugees, especially now when more people are being displaced globally.”

UNHCR has been supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Belize since opening its office in Belmopan in 1987. “Everyone has the right to seek asylum and safety. This World Refugee Day, I invite you to stand in solidarity with refugees, whether by joining them in a game of football or advocating for their inclusion,” stated Myrat Myradov, UNHCR Head of Office. “Refugees have much to contribute to Belize, and we appreciate the generosity of host communities in welcoming them.”

The UNHCR acknowledges the United Nations’ commitment to refugee inclusion in all UN activities, including the UN Common Pledge 2.0. This pledge aims to enhance refugee inclusion in national plans, budgets, datasets, and service delivery systems, ensuring no one is left behind as efforts under the Sustainable Development Goals are accelerated.