The Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) has announced plans to lead the official national commemoration of World Refugee Day on Friday, June 20, 2025,
Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing on Wednesday, June 19, 2025
Mr. Jackson J. Paye, Acting Executive Director of LRRRC, described the event as deeply symbolic for Liberia a country that once endured mass internal displacement and refugee outflows during years of civil conflict.
“Tomorrow’s celebration is not just an international event; it is a deeply personal reminder for us as Liberians,” Paye noted.
“Many of our citizens were once refugees due to the civil crisis. Today, as we host others fleeing conflict and hardship, we must stand in solidarity with them.”
The 2025 observance of World Refugee Day will begin with a parade from the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) at 8:00 a.m., followed by an indoor program at Monrovia City Hall.
The program will feature speeches, cultural performances, testimonies from former refugees, and recognition of organizations that have supported refugee welfare in Liberia.
Following the indoor events, celebrations will move into local communities with recreational activities and community-based engagement programs, designed to foster inclusion and awareness among citizens and displaced populations.
“We invite the public, the media, and all our partners to be present and show support for those who once lived in fear and displacement,” said Paye.
In a significant departure from previous years, the 2025 World Refugee Day celebrations will be entirely Liberian-led, as many international partners, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have scaled down or concluded their operations in the country.
Despite the reduction in international involvement, Paye expressed appreciation to the Government of Liberia, particularly President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, for maintaining a firm commitment to supporting refugees and other displaced individuals.
“We are grateful to President Boakai and the government for continuing to prioritize refugee issues.
Their support has been crucial in maintaining essential services and exploring durable solutions for those affected,” Paye remarked.
During the press briefing, Paye became emotional as he reflected on Liberia’s troubled past and the impact of war on media practitioners and ordinary citizens alike.
“Seeing his picture at MICAT reminded me of the many sacrifices made during those turbulent years,” he shared, visibly moved.
“These are moments that drive us to do more for those still living with the consequences of displacement.”
Paye who assumed leadership of LRRRC in November 2024 along with a new interim management team, acknowledged the challenges that persist within the Commission.
Nonetheless, he reported significant progress in stabilizing operations and charting a new direction for the agency.
Pledging a more transparent and accountable leadership style, the Acting Executive Director announced plans to return to MICAT in the near future with his full team to provide a comprehensive briefing on LRRRC’s activities, challenges, and future plans.
“Despite the challenges, we’ve been able to stabilize and move the agency forward,” he noted. “I promise to return with my team to give a full update on our operations and outline the way forward.”
He also used the occasion to call on all Liberians to use World Refugee Day as a moment of national reflection and recommitment to peace, human rights, and dignity.
“This is not just about people who fled war or disaster. It’s about our shared humanity and the responsibility we have to ensure no one is left behind. Let us come together to promote peace, protection, and dignity,” he indicated.
During the country’s two devastating civil wars between 1989 and 2003, hundreds of thousands of Liberians sought refuge in neighboring countries
Such as Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Ghana and Sierra Leone, simultaneously, Liberia became a destination for refugees fleeing conflicts in Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and other parts of West Africa.
Paye acknowledged these issues and assured the public that LRRRC remains committed to identifying sustainable solutions in partnership with the Liberian government, civil society, and the international community.
“We recognize that the journey does not end with repatriation or resettlement. Integration, stability, and opportunity must follow.
As the nation prepares for World Refugee Day, Hon. Paye’s message was clear: Liberia must not forget its past, nor those still in need of protection.
“Whether they are refugees, returnees, or host community members, everyone deserves dignity and peace. Let us rise to that challenge together.”
World Refugee Day, observed globally every June 20, is designated by the United Nations to honor the strength, courage, and resilience of millions of people forced to flee their homes due to conflict persecution.
The 2025 global theme centers around “Hope Away from Home: A World Where Refugees Are Welcome.”
In Liberia, this year’s commemoration promises not only to highlight the plight of refugees but also to celebrate the nation’s resilience and commitment to peace and humanity.