On World Refugee Day, UNHCR promotes the inclusion of refugees in health, education and sports in Tajikistan

As of the end of 2020, Tajikistan hosts 5,989 refugees and asylum seekers. Most but not all have access to medical care, including COVID-19 vaccination, education, and work. UNHCR will continue supporting authorities and other partners to achieve greater inclusion of all refugees in healthcare, education, employment, and social protection to fully contribute to their host communities' development.

"During the pandemic, despite the challenges they face every day, refugees in Tajikistan have stepped up, working as doctors, nurses, teachers, and keeping their communities functioning. We have been inspired by cooperation between refugees and members of their host communities in Tajikistan," said Mulugeta Zewdie, UNHCR Representative in Tajikistan.

Despite the pandemic, the number of people fleeing wars, violence, persecution and human rights violations in 2020 rose to nearly 82.4 million people, according to UNHCR's latest annual Global Trends reports released on 18 June. This is a further four percent increase on top of the already record-high 79.5 million at the end of 2019.

World Refugee Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the experiences of the millions of people forced to flee violence and persecution. But it is also a day to celebrate the fact that, with help from welcoming communities and kind neighbors, people can find the strength to heal, rebuild and even thrive.

This year, World Refugee Day is focused on the power of inclusion in health systems, education, and sports. Health care because of the importance of working together to recover from the pandemic. Education because of the millions of children whose education was interrupted by the pandemic. And sports because it transcends language and nationality to bring people together. In 2021, a team of 29 refugee athletes will join the Tokyo Games with the support of UNHCR and the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees.