World Refugee Day being marked today

LAHORE (Staff Report) - To highlight the plight and issues faced by the people who are forced to leave their homes,  World Refugee Day is being observed on Monday (today).

This day was designated by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to bring attention to the plight of approximately 14 million refugees around the world.

Pakistan tops the prestigious list by hosting the largest number of refugees for a period of more than four decades. This year's  World Refugee Day aims to raise voice for the latest refugee crisis in Middle East.

For years, many countries and regions have been holding their own events similar to World Refugee Day. One of the most widespread events is Africa Refugee Day, which is celebrated on June 20 in many countries.

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to express its solidarity with Africa on December 4, 2000.

The resolution noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees, and that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day on June 20.

The Assembly therefore decided that June 20 would be celebrated as World Refugee Day from 2001 on wards.