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ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Asylum and Refugee Rights Advocacy Foundation (ARRA) has called for urgent and coordinated global action to address the worsening refugee and displacement crisis, urging governments, international organizations, civil society groups, the media, and citizens to match the courage of displaced persons with decisive policy responses and humanitarian support.
In a statement issued on Tuesday to mark Refugee Week 2026, ARRA said this year’s theme, “Courage,” highlights the resilience of millions of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, stateless persons and internally displaced persons who continue to rebuild their lives despite extraordinary hardships.
The statement, signed by Dr. Okey Ezugwu Esq., Founder and Executive Director of ARRA, noted that the annual observance offers an opportunity not only to celebrate the strength of displaced populations but also to reflect on society’s collective obligation to uphold human dignity and protection.
According to ARRA, the theme resonates strongly with the experiences of people forced to flee persecution, armed conflict, terrorism, human rights abuses, environmental disasters and other crises.
“It celebrates the extraordinary courage of individuals and families who have been forced to flee persecution, armed conflict, terrorism, human rights violations, environmental disasters, and other circumstances beyond their control, yet continue to demonstrate resilience, hope, and determination in rebuilding their lives,” the organization stated.
ARRA expressed concern that forced displacement has reached unprecedented levels globally, leaving millions vulnerable to poverty, exclusion and insecurity.
“Across continents, millions of vulnerable persons continue to face immense challenges, including limited access to education, healthcare, employment, legal protection, shelter, and durable solutions,” the statement said, adding that women and children remain particularly exposed to exploitation, trafficking, abuse and discrimination.
The organization stressed that courage should not be expected only from refugees and displaced populations.
“As the world continues to reflect on the theme of Courage, ARRA emphasizes that courage must not be demanded solely of refugees and displaced persons. Governments, international institutions, civil society organizations, and individuals must also demonstrate the courage to act decisively in addressing the root causes of displacement and strengthening protection systems for those in need.”
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Nigeria Must Strengthen Refugee Protection
Highlighting Nigeria’s strategic role in Africa, ARRA acknowledged the country’s contributions to refugee protection and migration governance but maintained that more robust measures are needed.
The advocacy group urged the Federal Government to strengthen the implementation of refugee and migration laws, improve institutional capacity among relevant agencies, expand access to healthcare, education and livelihood opportunities, and ensure better documentation and identity management systems for refugees and asylum seekers.
ARRA also called for stronger integration programmes to promote peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities while intensifying efforts to tackle insecurity, environmental degradation and other drivers of displacement.
The organization further advocated the inclusion of refugee and migration concerns in national development planning and social protection programmes.
Appeal for International Solidarity
ARRA said the growing displacement crisis cannot be addressed by individual countries acting alone and called for greater international solidarity.
“The global displacement crisis requires collective responsibility and international solidarity. Developing countries continue to shoulder a disproportionate burden of hosting refugees despite limited resources and competing development priorities,” the statement noted.
The foundation urged the international community to increase financial and technical support to refugee-hosting countries, particularly across Africa, while expanding opportunities for refugee resettlement, family reunification and humanitarian admissions.
It also called for greater investment in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and sustainable development initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of displacement.
ARRA emphasized the need for stronger international cooperation in tackling climate-induced displacement, combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and supporting education, entrepreneurship and economic inclusion programmes for displaced populations.
NGOs Remain Critical Partners
The organization praised the role of non-governmental organizations in protecting vulnerable populations and described their interventions as indispensable.
“Non-governmental organizations continue to serve as critical partners in protecting the rights and welfare of refugees and migrants. Their advocacy, humanitarian interventions, and legal support services remain indispensable,” ARRA stated.
It encouraged NGOs to intensify public awareness campaigns promoting tolerance and inclusion, expand legal aid services, support refugee-led initiatives, and strengthen partnerships with governments, international agencies and the private sector.
Citizens Urged to Reject Xenophobia
ARRA also called on individuals around the world to contribute to building inclusive societies by rejecting discrimination and misinformation against refugees and migrants.
“The protection of refugees and migrants is not solely the responsibility of governments and institutions. Every individual has a role to play in building inclusive and compassionate societies,” the statement said.
The organization urged citizens to promote empathy, volunteer their skills and resources to humanitarian causes, support integration efforts within communities, and advocate policies that uphold human rights and international protection principles.
Media Challenged to Report Responsibly
A major focus of the statement was the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of refugees and migration.
ARRA described the media as one of the most influential institutions in society and called on journalists and media organizations to embrace ethical, balanced and fact-based reporting.
“At a time when refugees and migrants are increasingly subjected to stereotypes, sensationalism, and misinformation, the role of the media in promoting balanced and accurate reporting has never been more critical,” the statement said.
The foundation urged media practitioners to amplify the voices of refugees and asylum seekers, educate the public on migration realities, challenge xenophobia and hate speech, and highlight positive stories of resilience and contribution by displaced persons.
ARRA further called on journalists to hold governments and humanitarian actors accountable for their commitments while promoting conflict-sensitive and human rights-based reporting.
“As the world commemorates Refugee Week 2026, ARRA believes that the media must demonstrate the same courage celebrated by this year’s theme by speaking truthfully, reporting responsibly, and using its influence to build more informed, compassionate, and inclusive societies,” it added.
Call for Stronger Institutions
The advocacy organization argued that sustainable solutions to displacement require stronger institutions and more effective protection mechanisms.
Among the reforms proposed were faster asylum determination procedures, stronger legal safeguards for refugees and stateless persons, improved refugee registration and documentation systems, greater access to justice for victims of abuse, and enhanced regional cooperation among African states.
ARRA also advocated migration governance frameworks that balance national security concerns with humanitarian obligations while ensuring greater participation of refugees and migrants in policymaking processes.
‘Courage Must Translate Into Meaningful Action’
Concluding the statement, ARRA warned that global indifference would only worsen the plight of displaced populations and insisted that practical action must accompany expressions of solidarity.
“As we commemorate Refugee Week 2026, ARRA reiterates that courage must translate into meaningful action. The courage demonstrated by refugees and displaced persons in overcoming adversity should inspire governments, institutions, organizations, and individuals to act with greater determination and compassion,” the organization declared.
“A just and humane world cannot be built on indifference. It must be built on solidarity, shared responsibility, respect for human rights, and a collective commitment to protecting the vulnerable.”
Reaffirming its mission, ARRA pledged to continue advancing the rights, dignity, protection and inclusion of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and displaced persons across Nigeria, Africa and the wider world.
“Together, we can create a future where every person forced to flee finds safety, protection, opportunity, and hope,” the statement concluded.
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