The head of Scottish Refugee Council has called on the country to stand in solidarity with refugees “on every step of their journey” on World Refugee Day. 

Our chief executive Sabir Zazai has praised the “incredible strength and resilience” shown by people who are rebuilding their lives in a new, unfamiliar country. 

Scottish Refugee Council joins charities around the world today (June 20th) on this international day designated by the UN to call for solidarity and action to support the millions of people forced from their homes as a result of violence and persecution.  

More than 122.1 million people have been uprooted from their homes over the past year, as new figures from the UNHCR shows that the number of people forcibly displaced has increased every year for the past decade.  

The record of number of people uprooted by war, violence and persecution is also reflected in the 109,000 people seeking safety in the UK over the past year.  

Scottish Refugee Council chief executive Sabir Zazai said: “We all want the world to be a safer place where people don’t need to flee their homes but that unfortunately isn’t the reality right now. Today is an important reminder of the long journey that refugees in Scotland – and all over the world – make to rebuild their lives. Too often, people focus on the treacherous journeys that people take to seek safety when their lives are uprooted, but they rarely consider that journey is just the start. 

“The people we work with have fled horrific situations around the world, but the UK’s hostile system takes its toll on people too. Even when refugees are granted legal protection, they are forced to navigate a lot of complicated challenges in a very short space of time. Settling into a new country and way of life can be disorientating and challenging; people need time, support and understanding. It takes incredible strength and resilience to start over, so we work with people at every step of their journey.” 

Last year we supported more than 9000 people from 113 nationalities all across Scotland. This includes people fleeing persecution and human rights violations in Iran, as well as war and conflict in countries like Sudan, Syria, Iraq and Ukraine. 

The independent charity marks 40 years of supporting people seeking safety in Scotland this year. It helps people navigate the asylum system and offers practical advice and support to newly-recognised refugees around issues like housing and homelessness and financial hardship. 

Sabir added: “Many of the people we work with stay in touch with us as they continue on their journey. They are working or starting businesses, raising families, and making a real difference in their local communities. People all say the same thing: that they want to help others make sure they get the same friendship and support that they did when they first arrived in Scotland.” 

World Refugee Day  also comes as Refugee Festival Scotland, a 10-day celebration of arts, culture and community organised by the charity, enters its final weekend. More than 70 events still to take place across Scotland, from Orkney to the Borders. 

Today will see Dundee host the first ever World Refugee Day Cup as eight teams from Glasgow and Tayside take part in the inaugural intercity tournament.  

On Saturday June 21st, Building Solidarity & Kinship, a series of short films screening at Eden Court in Inverness, will explore themes of community and belonging with a panel discussion of film-makers and local refugee community leaders. Meanwhile, in Glasgow, an Aye Welcome Refugees march through the city will finish with a family-friendly carnival at the Old Fruitmarket. 

In Orkney, this weekend will be the last chance to see Milestones of Colour – an art exhibition created and curated by a group of Ukrainian refugees who have resettled on the island. It’s also the last chance to catch the New Scots Photos of Edinburgh exhibition – which captures the capital through the eyes of people rebuilding their lives there.  

Nicola Love
Author: Nicola Love