World Refugee Day
Responsible reporting's vital role in understanding the global refugee crisis.
Also see
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Central Asia Refuses to Accept Afghan Refugees
With the exception of Dushanbe, all other regional powers will strictly limit numbers.
Sudanese Refugees Pay Price for an Ethiopian Conflict
Many thousands have escaped war in their own country only to find themselves trapped between government forces and local militia.
Syrians in Turkey Want to Go Home – But How?
Despite jubilation over the fall of the Assad regime, many refugees fear the uncertainty of return to a war-ravaged country.
Welcome to IWPR’s Frontline Update, your go-to source to hear from journalists and local voices at the front lines of conflict.
THE BIG PICTURE
World Refugee Day, marked each year on June 20, reflects the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country, and honours their hopes, needs, rights and dreams.
Local journalism remains vital for accurate and sensitive reporting on the refugee crisis, especially as the vast numbers involved - an estimated 117.3 million people worldwide, according to the latest Global Trends report – are so overwhelming.
VOICES FROM THE FRONTLINE
“To truly understand the crisis, we must see the faces behind the numbers—because every statistic is a human life,” said Siranush Sargasyan, a long-time IWPR contributor based in the Armenian capital Yerevan.
“Reporting on refugees taught me that behind every statistic is a personal story. Hundreds of thousands of refugees are not numbers—they are people with dreams, losses, and courage.”
In a recent piece, she looked at how women who had lost everything after fleeing Nagorny Karabakh had been remaking their lives elsewhere.
“As a journalist, I believe responsible reporting must come from a deeply human perspective,” Sargasyan said. “This crisis is personal—it reflects the lives of my family and community. For me, journalism is not just about raising awareness; it’s about creating real change.”
WHY IT MATTERS
Responsible, in-depth reporting not only provides those escaping conflict or persecution with a platform to share their experiences but also supports log-term, sustainable solutions.
Going beyond data and statistics and telling real stories of displacement, struggle and resilience is essential to humanise the crisis, combat hate speech and provide answers to often difficult questions.
THE BOTTOM LINE
From Ukraine to Afghanistan, IWPR is committed to telling the stories of those directly impacted by the refugee crisis. Whether investigating how Sudanese refugees are forced to pay the price for an Ethiopian conflict, or reporting on the quandaries Syrians face returning home, our network of contributors unpack complex realities to ensure local voices are always heard.
“When people are trapped and forgotten, the media breaks that silence,” Sargasyan said. “Media is not just a messenger—it is a bridge to hope and making changes.”
