World Refugee Day 2025 | June 20

What Solidarity with Refugees Really Looks Like

This year’s theme for World Refugee Day is solidarity. But what does that really mean?

Solidarity means more than standing with refugees in principle — it means acting in ways that restore their dignity, agency, and hope. It means recognising that behind the word “refugee” is a person who deserves more than survival. It means saying clearly, and courageously: you are not alone.

For 13-year-old Samir*, standing in solidarity with refugees looks like providing a sanctuary amidst the turmoil.

Samir is one of thousands of children whose lives have been devastated by the conflict in Lebanon.

On the first day of the conflict, Samir woke to the sound of airstrikes. “He screamed as if he thought he was going to die,” his mother recalls. “Our home was destroyed. It was no longer safe for us.”

The family fled to Syria, but the trauma left profound scars on Samir. Now, every loud noise sends his heart racing, and the loss of his friends and home haunt him.

Amid this turmoil, ADRA has been a beacon of hope for Samir and his family. Before leaving for Syria, Samir was attending classes at the ADRA Centre.

Determined to continue his education despite the conflict, ADRA provided him with distance-learning support. His mother says, “ADRA has been his lifeline. Their support in education and psychosocial care gave him strength. He never missed a session, and it gave him a sense of stability in an unstable world.

“He dreams of returning to the ADRA Centre back home. It was his sanctuary, where he felt safe and confident, even in the darkest times.”

Solidarity in Action

On World Refugee Day, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by statistics. Over 122.6 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide (Refugee Data Finder – Key Indicators). Conflicts drag on. Resources fall short. But Samir’s story reminds us that solidarity isn’t just a statement — it’s what happens when people like you say: “Let’s do more than care. Let’s act.”

At ADRA, we believe that displaced people deserve more than a place to stay — they deserve a place to grow. That’s what your support makes possible.

💛 On this day, we honour the strength of refugees.
💛 We stand with refugees — not just in words, but in action.
💛 And we thank you for standing with us.

Learn more about our Remedial Education for Children in Lebanon Project here.

* Name changed for child protection purposes