TEHRAN –Each year, World Refugee Day is celebrated on June 20 to honor people who have been forced to flee due to conflict, violence, or persecution.

This is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by refugees. These people are often seeking safety and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Iran’s support for refugees is demonstrated through its inclusive policies, which encompass protection, assistance, education, and healthcare, inspiring the global community and positively impacting the lives of refugees.

As the second-largest refugee-hosting country, Iran is currently host to one of the largest and most protracted refugee populations in the world, the majority of whom are Afghan refugees.

The country is home to over 800,000 registered refugees and some 2.6 million undocumented Afghans.

Currently, more than 500,000 Afghan children - including undocumented Afghans and those who have newly arrived in Iran following the Taliban takeover - are benefitting from Iran’s inclusive education policies, one of the most progressive in the world.

In total, Iran hosts some 4.5 million Afghans of varying status – including resident permit holders, undocumented Afghans, and family passport holders – many of whom have been in the country for an extended period and require support to strengthen their resilience.

Iran’s generous and exceptional services for refugees despite unfair economic sanctions have exceeded expectations and international responsibilities.

The government of  Iran has made a very generous effort to provide services to millions of refugees and foreign nationals despite difficult living conditions and oppressive economic sanctions imposed on the country.

In August 2023, Inna Gladkova, the officer in charge of the UNHCR in Iran, appreciated the country for generously hosting refugees.

She assessed the formation of the National Migration Organization as a positive step in improving the situation of refugees and organizing them.

She made the remarks in a meeting in Tehran on August 3, with Ruhollah Qaderi, the National Migration Organization’s director for international affairs.

According to Qaderi, the share of international organizations is less than one percent of Iran's cost of about 10 billion dollars for hosting refugees, which is very small and should be seriously reviewed.

The official went on to say that humanitarian aid should be in line with the needs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the refugees, and priority should be given to supplies and equipment that cannot be accessed due to sanctions.

Gladkova has called on the international community to increase their support for Iran’s humanitarian efforts, recognizing that no single country can bear the responsibility of hosting refugees alone.

She emphasized that more financial support, technical assistance, and innovative partnerships are essential to ensure the protection, well-being, and successful integration of refugees worldwide.

Iran’s example showcases the transformative power of inclusive policies, enabling refugees to thrive as valued members of society.

Provided services

Foreign nationals in Iran have citizenship rights and are subject to many protections, and one of the services provided to them is insurance.

In recent years, the number of insured foreign nationals has increased by 15 percent. Most of the insured are nationals of Afghanistan and China.

The long-term protections granted to insured persons include the retirement pension and the work-related disability pension.

Paying compensation for sick days, paying compensation for pregnancy, paying compensation for disability, and paying allowances are among other insurance services.

Foreign nationals who work in Iranian sports clubs as head coaches, trainers, assistant coaches, athletes, players, etc., are subject to compulsory insurance.

Also, foreign journalists in Iran can be covered by social security services without obtaining a work permit by submitting a confirmation from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

According to the law, people who have worked in hard and harmful jobs for at least 20 consecutive years and 25 alternate years can apply for a pension without an age requirement.

Male insured with at least 60 years of age and 10 years of insurance premium payment, or at least 50 years of age and 30 years of insurance premium payment, and female insured with at least 55 years of age and 10 years of insurance premium payment, or at least 45 years of age and 30 years of insurance premium payment can apply for a pension.

Up to 2,188 foreign nationals residing in Iran are currently receiving pensions from social security funds.

About 200,000 foreign nationals in the country have been provided with free health insurance with the financial support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, according to the managing director of Iran Health Insurance Organization.

Foreign nationals who are considered financially struggling can benefit from free health insurance services, Mehr news agency quoted Mohammad-Mehdi Nasehi as saying.

Stating that the number of refugees in the country is far more than the number of people who have been covered by free insurance, Nasehi added that legal refugees can enjoy insurance services by paying their insurance premiums.

‘For a World Where Refugees Are Welcomed’

World Refugee Day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to support these individuals and advocate for their rights.

It was first celebrated on June 20, 2001, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees

This year’s theme is ‘For a World Where Refugees Are Welcomed’.

Refugees need our solidarity now more than ever.

Solidarity means keeping doors open, celebrating their strengths and achievements, and reflecting on the challenges they face. 

Solidarity with people forced to flee also means finding solutions to their plight – ending conflicts so they can return home in safety, ensuring they have opportunities to thrive in the communities that have welcomed them, and providing countries with the resources they need to include and support refugees.

World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.

Every minute 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror.