Brussels: On World Refugee Day, the European Commission and the High Representative have highlighted the strength and resilience of over 117 million displaced individuals globally. Forced from their homes due to conflict, persecution, violence, and human rights violations, these individuals continue to show courage in rebuilding their lives and contributing to the communities that welcome them.
According to European Union, as the leading humanitarian donor globally, the EU and its Member States support refugees, asylum seekers, and host communities while promoting international protection standards, access to essential services, and durable solutions. Through international partnerships, including with the United Nations, the EU addresses the root causes of displacement and strengthens stability in crisis-affected regions, encouraging other regions to do the same. Notably, 2025 marked the first decline in the number of displaced people worldwide in a decade, underscoring the importance of this approach.
The EU has undertaken significant responsibilities in hosting refugees, providing temporary protection to over 4.8 million individuals fleeing Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Beyond Europe, the EU leads humanitarian responses in regions such as Sudan, Gaza, Lebanon, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, delivering essential aid like food, water, shelter, education, and healthcare.
Simultaneously, the EU invests in long-term solutions that foster self-reliance among refugees and host communities through education, livelihoods, social protection, social cohesion, and inclusion. The newly adopted Joint Communication on Humanitarian Action reinforces this approach via an Integrated Approach to Fragility and promotes public-private partnerships for investments in fragile settings. This strategy addresses the root causes of fragility and displacement by strengthening resilience, promoting stability and peace, and supporting sustainable development while meeting immediate humanitarian needs. The EU aims not only to respond to crises but also to create conditions for safe, dignified, and sustainable solutions.
Global cooperation remains vital, with the EU's humanitarian and development partners playing crucial roles in protecting the rights and dignity of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. The EU continues to be a steadfast partner of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
With its first European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy, the EU outlines a vision for a new comprehensive approach to migration and asylum that is both fair and firm.