The Bahamas Observes World Refugee Day

The Bahamas Observes World Refugee Day
Nassau, The Bahamas, June 20, 2024

Every year on the 20th of June, World Refugee Day is commemorated around the world to honour refugees around the globe and celebrate their strength, resilience and courage.

World Refugee Day is marked by a variety of events in many countries around the globe in support of refugees. It is an opportunity for countries to reaffirm their commitment to upholding and promoting human rights with a strong focus on international protection.

In the lead-up to World Refugee Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a meeting with Mr. Jon Hoisaeter, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Deputy Representative for the Office of the United States and the Caribbean. The Human Rights and Human Security Bureau of the Ministry helped coordinate a series of meetings with government stakeholders to work on strengthening the relationship between The Bahamas and the UNHCR.

Kenneth Wallace Whitfield, Foreign Service Officer,Bureau of Human Rights and Human Security; Janine A. Gibson, Head of Bureau of Human Rights and Human Security; Mr. Jon Hoisaeter, UNHCR Deputy Representative for the Office of the United States and the Caribbean; Hon. Frederick Mitchell MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Melvin Seymour,  Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Gezel Farrington, Ambassador of Human Rights; Ms. Jerusa Ali, Director General, Foreign Affairs; Crispin Hall, UNHCR Protection Officer; Latoya Graham, Foreign Service Officer, Bureau of Human Rights and Human Security

The theme for this year’s World Refugee Day ‘In Solidarity with refugees and their specific health needs’ is aimed at creating solutions to improve the health and well-being of refugees and supporting their health needs through local, national, regional, and global efforts.

This year for World Refugee Day UNHCR Bahamas has partnered with the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, Department of Gender and Family Affairs to host a virtual forum.

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