June 20th is World Refugee Day

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Held globally for the first time in 2001, World Refugee Day is a day to celebrate, honor, and remember refugees.

World Refugee Day was designated by the UN, falls on June 20th each year, recognizing the resilience and strength refugees have shown in rebuilding their lives. It is also to reflect and understand the hardships those people have gone through. This year alone over 100 million people have been displaced as a result of religious persecution, civil war, corrupt governments, and more.

Many activities are held on World Refugee Day to create opportunities to support refugees.

Mariama FoFana, an American Red Cross Volunteer in Colorado and Wyoming, fled Côte d’Ivoire in 2012 and began a new life in the United States. She says that it’s because of the kindness of others that made a difference in her life after it had been flipped upside down.

“I just want to say thank you to all those people who actually make that difference of just like, kindness in lives of refugees because my family and I definitely met a lot of those people, and I know for a fact that we wouldn’t be here without their help. So Definitely a big thank you.” She said when asked about her experience starting life in a new place.

Mariama is just one of millions of people across the world forced away from their homes.

You can read Mariama’s story and learn more about what she’s doing now here.

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