UN in Guyana observes World Refugee Day through cultural showcase and poetry competition

Designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe, World Refugee Day celebrates the strength and courage of the people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict or persecution. The theme chosen for this year's World Refugee Day, Hope Away from Home: A World where refugees are always included, emphasises the importance of giving forcibly displaced people the opportunity to rebuild their lives far from home while contributing to the well-being of their host communities.

During the event in Georgetown both forcibly displaced and Guyanese people shared their traditions and culture through artistic performances. UNHCR also awarded the winners of the poetry contest launched ahead of World Refugee Day for children aged 5-17. Through the theme chosen for this year's celebrations, children could express their views through poems in their language of choice.

In the southern Caribbean region, UNHCR works with governments to protect and assist roughly 92,000 people, many of whom are Venezuelans.

With its partners, UNHCR focuses on providing legal and cash-based assistance, as well as Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services to forcibly displaced people, and others in need of international protection. The Agency advocates for stronger, more accessible, and responsive asylum systems in the region, and the inclusion of forcibly displaced people in national social protection programmes and public services.

“None of this would be possible without the collaboration of governments, including the government of Guyana. I wish to thank the Government of Guyana for your efforts to protect Venezuelans and other forcibly displaced people,” said Philippa Candler, UNHCR Representative in her video message.

In his speech, the UNHCR Head of National Office in Guyana, Mr. Henri-Sylvain Yakara, stated that “the provision of protection, security, and better opportunities for the future to Venezuelan migrants and other forcibly displaced people reflects the commitment of the Government of Guyana to inclusion.”

During the event, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Hon. Gail Teixeira emphasised that the government remains resolute in its commitment to accommodating and integrating migrants through its open-door policy while the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador George Talbot, highlighted that forced displacement issues will “doubtless further engage our attention as Guyana assumes a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the two-year period January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.”  

For many years, Guyana has been providing humanitarian assistance to those in need. But importantly, the country has gone further by including forcibly displaced children in the national education system as well as enabling access to health services for everyone who needs it. Helping those in need finding hope away from home.

For more information: Viola Eleonora Bruttomesso, Associate Communications Officer, UNHCR Multi-country Office in Panama, bruttome@unhcr.org