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World Refugee Day

Refugees are Courageous

Every World Refugee Day, we celebrate the contributions of refugees around the world. This year, we are proud to honor the courage of refugee artists who use their creativity to connect and heal—bringing people closer together. Through their painting, their dance and their song, these inspiring artists open a door into their world and show us who they are beyond the label of refugee.

Explore five ways you can honor that courage, by taking action for refugees around the world:

1. Share Diala Brisly's powerful illustration

Diala Brisly, a Syrian artist and refugee living in France, has created a new illustration that embodies the statement "Refugees are courageous." Share her work far and wide. 

An illustration of five men and women of different ages and cultures, including a baby, an older woman with a hijab and a young man with hair dyed blue. There is destruction behind them and they are looking forward with images of waves ahead of them.

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Download in 4 languages | Color the image

2. Celebrate refugee and immigrant artists

Explore and share the stories of artists Diala Brisly and Muyambo Marcel Chishimba, ballerina Christine Shevchenko, and rapper Belly—or share the work of another artist you know!

Chishimba sits on a stool in front a painting on an easel outside.

Muyambo Marcel Chishimba, Artist

"If someone says my work is bad, I am happy. You know why? Because I push myself to do better."

Christive Shevchenko stands in a studio in her rehearsal clothes for a World Refugee Day 2021 photo shoot.

Christine Shevchenko, Prima Ballerina

"Every time you step out in front of people, you’re putting yourself out there to be judged. You have to have the courage to fail."

Wearing a shirt that says "Palestine," Belly poses outside for a World Refugee Day 2021 photo shoot..

Belly, Rapper

"My past is in my music... I think finding the courage to be myself had to come through the music and the writing."

Wearing a red necklace, Diala Brisly poses in front of a painting outside for a World Refugee Day 2021 photo shoot..

Diala Brisly, Artist

"I didn't know that there was such a thing called art therapy. But, apparently, I was doing this without even knowing."

3. Tell President Biden to welcome refugees

For most of the world’s 25 million refugees, going home isn’t an option. And last year just 2% had the chance for a new start in a welcoming country.

Nuam San, wearing a shirt that says Refugees Welcome, stands in front of the U.S. Capitol building.

Tell President Biden to welcome refugees

Urge President Biden to raise the refugee admissions goal to 125,000. Refugees can't wait.

4. Donate to the International Rescue Committee

Help us continue to support refugees across the U.S. and around the world.

A young girl holds up a piece of artwork. The words World Refugee Day are on the wall behind her and other children work on their artwork at a table.

Donate today

Your donation will help us deliver health care, emergency supplies, education, and continuing support to refugee families around the world.

5. Get involved in your community

Volunteer: Play a critical role in helping newly arrived refugees and immigrants thrive in the U.S. by volunteering in your local IRC office or remotely. 

Rania Abou, wearing a mask, stands behind a table filled with paper bags and adds pre-packaged meals to them.

Rania Abou, a 19-year-old refugee from Damascus, Syria, distributes meals to people experiencing food insecurity in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Photo: Andrew Oberstatd/IRC

Learn: Join Ebony Obsidian, Sepideh Moafi and IRC experts for our June 22 refugee resettlement summit.

Open your home: Provide temporary housing—and peace of mind—to refugee newcomers through Airbnb's Open Homes initiative.