World Refugee Day Workshop Spotlights Lived Experiences to Foster Empathy, Peacebuilding

June 26, 2025

The global refugee population has surged to 36. 8 million people, with total forced displacement reaching 123. 2 million since 2020 due to ongoing violence and persecution worldwide.

Who is affected

Refugees worldwide (36.8 million people)
Forcibly displaced people (123.2 million globally)
Refugees from conflict zones like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
People from countries affected by U.S. travel bans, including Sudan
Refugee communities seeking protection and asylum in the United States
Displaced people in the North and South Kivu provinces (4.6 million people)
The 27 million people across DRC requiring emergency humanitarian assistance

What action is being taken

NUI and N&Y Creative Solutions organized an advocacy workshop on June 21 featuring food, personal testimonies, and art
NUI is working to influence policies affecting at-risk members of the diaspora
Luan Mayen is developing video games like "Salaam" to encourage unity and empathy
Advocacy organizations are sharing refugee stories to humanize displaced people
Advocates are raising awareness about the global refugee situation
NUI is trying to become more involved in policy work that positively affects vulnerable populations

Why it matters

The refugee population has increased dramatically in just five years
Recent U.S. policies, including refugee bans and travel restrictions, create greater hostility toward displaced communities
The Trump administration implemented an indefinite refugee ban and foreign aid freeze in January
Travel bans restrict entry from 17 countries, with more potentially being added to the list
Policy changes can happen overnight and immediately affect refugees' livelihoods
Humanizing refugees helps combat hostility and unwelcome attitudes toward displaced people
The DRC humanitarian crisis is one of the most complex in the world, with conditions worsening daily

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer