Over 8mil refugees seek asylum, need International Protection in Africa: AUC

Addis Ababa, June 20, 2023 (FBC) – The African Union Commission (AUC) is commemorating the World Refugee Day 2023 today at AUC Headquarter, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

It is stated that the 2023 World Refugee Day is being held under the theme: “Hope away from Home. A World where Refugees are always included”

Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS) of the African Union Commission (AUC), in partnership with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) organized this year’s commemoration.

AUC in its Media advisory said that the refugee problem continues to be a persistent challenge on the African continent due to complex factors.

It added that conflicts and political instability affecting parts of Africa continue to force multitudes of African people into forced displacement in different countries.

The widespread use of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), terrorism and religious extremism has further compounded the situation, and also resulted in lives lost, homes and properties destroyed.

The aforementioned challenges according to AUC are compounded by a sharp increase in food insecurity; notably in the Horn of Africa, Central Africa, Central and Western Sahel due to a combination of back-to-back poor rainy seasons, raging and protracted armed conflict with inter-communal violence in some of the contexts.

AUC disclosed that over 8 Million refugees currently seek asylum and are in need of International Protection on the continent.

The 2023 WRD highlights the necessity to include refugees in national socio-economic systems.

The commemoration initiative aims to generate attention to the situation of refugees in Africa, the efforts of stakeholders in determining root causes and implementing policies to protect, assist and find durable solutions for affected populations.