UNHCR calls for South Africa to renew its commitment to refugee protection

UNHCR urges South Africa to renew refugee protection as the world marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, warning that record levels of forced displacement require renewed commitment from governments, communities, businesses, and civil society. The UN Refugee Agency says every refugee statistic represents a real person whose life has been disrupted by war, violence, or persecution, yet whose hopes and ambitions remain intact.

The agency’s Southern Africa office has joined 75 global voices in reaffirming “The Promise of the Refugee Convention,” urging South Africa to continue its longstanding tradition of offering safety and dignity to people forced to flee their home countries. The appeal comes as hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers remain stranded outside the Department of Home Affairs offices in Durban following recent anti-foreigner violence.

UNHCR South Africa calls for renewed commitment

The UNHCR South Africa office says the global refugee crisis has reached unprecedented levels, making international cooperation more important than ever.

Marking the Refugee Convention 75th anniversary, the organisation stressed that the agreement adopted after the Second World War remains one of the world’s most important legal protections for people escaping conflict and persecution.

According to the agency:

“From the ashes of the Second World War came a solemn promise: a promise to protect people forced to flee war, violence and persecution.”

The UNHCR warned that the international community is now facing one of its greatest humanitarian challenges, with millions of displaced people requiring protection, stability, and opportunities to rebuild their lives.

The organisation said the Convention’s principles remain as relevant today as they were 75 years ago.

Refugee protection South Africa remains a regional example

South Africa’s long history of welcoming refugees

The agency praised refugee protection South Africa has provided over the past three decades, saying the country has consistently demonstrated solidarity with people fleeing conflict across Africa.

Unlike many neighbouring countries, South Africa does not operate formal refugee camps. Instead, refugees and asylum seekers are allowed to live within towns and cities, where they integrate into local communities.

According to UNHCR, South Africa hosted more than 167,000 refugees and asylum seekers during 2025, including people from:

Burundi
Democratic Republic of Congo
Somalia
South Sudan
Rwanda
Zimbabwe

The organisation said this approach promotes inclusion while allowing refugees to contribute economically and socially.

However, it also acknowledged that many displaced people continue to face significant hardships despite the country’s progressive refugee policies.

Refugee Convention 75th anniversary highlights shared responsibility

Renewing the promise to protect displaced people

The Refugee Convention 75th anniversary is being used by UNHCR to remind governments that protecting refugees is a shared international responsibility.

The organisation believes refugee protection extends beyond providing emergency shelter.

Instead, refugees should have access to:

Education
Employment opportunities
Healthcare
Community integration
Long-term solutions

The agency says every person forced to flee deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life with dignity.

Rather than viewing refugees only through the lens of crisis, societies should recognise the knowledge, skills, resilience, and experience they bring with them.

“Being a refugee should be only a chapter in a person’s life, not their whole life story,” the agency said.

Asylum seekers in Durban face growing humanitarian challenges

Families remain stranded after anti-foreigner violence

The UNHCR appeal comes as asylum seekers in Durban continue to face difficult living conditions after recent anti-foreigner violence displaced hundreds of families.

Many refugees have been sleeping outside the Department of Home Affairs offices on Che Guevara Road for several weeks.

Among those affected are:

Babies
Young children
Elderly people
Entire families

The displaced community has relied heavily on humanitarian organisations, churches, volunteers, and local donors for food, blankets, clothing, and other essential supplies.

Humanitarian volunteer Marion Clarke has warned that winter conditions are worsening an already difficult situation.

She said vulnerable refugee families continue spending freezing nights outdoors despite being legally documented.

“While many of us prepare by reaching for extra blankets and turning on the heater, legally documented refugee families in Durban are preparing to face another bitterly cold night on the pavement,” Clarke said.

She appealed to individuals and organisations with access to community halls or temporary accommodation to assist.

“We have the help. We still need the shelter.”

Refugee rights and humanitarian support require collective action

Communities urged to play a greater role

The UN Refugee Agency says refugee rights and humanitarian support cannot be left to governments alone.

Instead, meaningful assistance requires cooperation between:

National governments
Municipal authorities
Businesses
Faith-based organisations
Civil society organisations
International institutions
Local communities

The organisation believes these partnerships can help displaced people regain independence while reducing long-term dependence on humanitarian aid.

According to UNHCR, refugees should be welcomed into schools, workplaces, neighbourhoods, and local economies.

This approach benefits both refugees and host communities by promoting inclusion, economic participation, and social cohesion.

Most refugees remain close to home

Contrary to common perceptions, UNHCR says the majority of refugees never travel far from their countries of origin.

Instead, they often settle in neighbouring countries that may already be facing economic challenges, limited public resources, and growing social pressures.

The agency argues that supporting these communities is essential to ensuring refugees can rebuild their lives.

“Most refugees stay as close to their home countries as they can, often in communities already facing immense pressure.”

The organisation says humanitarian assistance should therefore focus not only on immediate survival but also on creating opportunities for long-term recovery and self-reliance.

Challenges remain despite progressive policies

Although South Africa allows refugees to live within communities instead of designated camps, UNHCR says many continue experiencing barriers that limit their ability to fully participate in society.

These include:

Limited employment opportunities
Access to documentation
Housing shortages
Xenophobia
Social exclusion
Administrative delays

The agency believes addressing these issues requires stronger partnerships between government departments and civil society organisations.

Improving access to services would enable refugees to become more self-sufficient while contributing positively to South Africa’s economy and communities.

A renewed promise for the future

As the world commemorates the Refugee Convention 75th anniversary, UNHCR is encouraging South Africans to look beyond refugee statistics and recognise the human stories behind every displaced family.

The agency says refugee protection is ultimately about preserving dignity, protecting fundamental rights, and offering hope to people whose lives have been transformed by circumstances beyond their control.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to a future where every refugee can find safety, opportunity, and inclusion.

“We affirm our commitment to a world where safety is a certainty; refugees are included; solutions are swift; and we act together.”

The call from UNHCR urges South Africa to renew refugee protection serves as a reminder that safeguarding displaced people is not only a legal obligation under international law but also a reflection of shared humanity. As forced displacement continues to rise worldwide, the agency says South Africa’s leadership in refugee protection South Africa will remain vital in ensuring vulnerable families receive the protection, dignity, and opportunities they deserve.

References

UNHCR – To mark 75 years of the Refugee Convention, 75 global voices unite with UNHCR to launch “The Promise”.
https://www.unhcr.org/news/press-releases/mark-75-years-refugee-convention-75-global-voices-unite-unhcr-launch-promise
UNHCR – South Africa Country Profile.
https://www.unhcr.org/where-we-work/countries/south-africa
UNHCR – 75th Anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention: Year of Action and Dialogue.
https://www.unhcr.org/news/announcements/75th-anniversary-1951-refugee-convention-unhcr-announces-year-action-and
United Nations – Secretary-General urges renewed commitment to refugee protection on the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention.
https://ukraine.un.org/en/320214-secretary-general-urges-renewed-commitment-refugee-protection-75th-anniversary-convention

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UNHCR urges South Africa to renew refugee protection