Every year on June 20, the world recognizes World Refugee Day, a day dedicated to honoring the strength, resilience, and courage of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, violence, disaster, or instability.
As a disaster nurse, humanitarian responder, and the daughter of Palestinian refugees, this day is deeply personal.
When we talk about refugees, we often focus on statistics. Millions displaced. Millions seeking safety. Millions living in camps or temporary shelters. Yet behind every number is a person with a story, a family, a profession, a dream, and a life that was interrupted through no fault of their own.
Throughout my career, I have worked with displaced populations in a variety of settings. Whether fleeing war, natural disasters, public health emergencies, or political instability, the challenges refugees face extend far beyond the initial journey to safety. Access to healthcare, clean water, food security, education, employment, mental health services, and social support often remains uncertain long after the headlines fade.
Displacement is not only a humanitarian issue; it is a public health issue.
Refugees frequently experience interrupted medical care, unmanaged chronic illnesses, trauma, injury, infectious disease risks, and significant mental health burdens. Children may miss years of education. Families can be separated for months or even years. Older adults and individuals with disabilities often face additional barriers that make recovery and integration even more difficult.
Yet despite these challenges, what continues to inspire me is the resilience I witness. Refugees are not defined by what they have lost. They are defined by their determination to rebuild, care for their families, contribute to their communities, and create hope in circumstances many of us can scarcely imagine.
World Refugee Day is an opportunity to move beyond sympathy and toward action. It is a reminder that everyone deserves dignity, safety, healthcare, education, and the opportunity to thrive. It is also a call for healthcare professionals, policymakers, humanitarian organizations, and community leaders to advocate for equitable access to resources and services that support displaced populations.
Today, I honor refugees everywhere.
I honor those who survived unimaginable journeys.
I honor those still waiting for safety.
I honor those rebuilding their lives one day at a time.
And I honor the communities that continue to welcome, support, and stand alongside them.
Because seeking safety is not a privilege.
It is a human right.
Dr. Jamla Rizek, DNP, MBA, RN, CEN, CPEN, NHDP-BC, NRP, FAAN, FAEN
Disaster Nursing Leader | Humanitarian Responder | Advocate for Vulnerable Populations