The Youth Center in Natitingou hosted the official celebrations for World Refugee Day 2026 on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr. Djibril MAMA CISSE, Minister of Interior and Public Security, alongside Mrs. Aminatou SAR, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bénin, and Mr. Thomas WYLLIE, Deputy Regional Director of the UN Refugee Agency for West Africa. Activities included speeches, visits to exhibition stands showcasing income-generating projects led by refugees, and tree planting.
The international theme this year was “Until everyone is safe,” intended to prompt reflection on the situation of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. In Bénin, updated figures show the country hosts 29,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with an additional 14,000 individuals awaiting refugee status.
In her speech, Mrs. Aminatou SAR said these numbers reflect real pressure on Bénin but also highlight the commitment of the government and its people to welcome and protect refugees. She assured that the United Nations system remains fully mobilized alongside Bénin, working daily to protect displaced persons, ensure access to food and healthcare, guarantee children’s education, and provide psychosocial support.
Minister Djibril MAMA CISSE stated that World Refugee Day is an important occasion to reaffirm solidarity with those forced to flee persecution, conflict, and violence. He noted that the theme “Until everyone is safe” reminds us that refugee protection is a shared responsibility requiring solidarity, humanity, and cooperation among international organizations and host communities. He assured that Bénin guarantees refugee protection through a strengthened legal and institutional framework, giving refugees access to essential services including health, education, employment, and social protection.
Despite the current security context, Mr. Djibril MAMA CISSE reaffirmed Bénin’s attachment to the right to asylum and the principle of non-refoulement, stating that national security imperatives and international protection requirements can be reconciled through effective identification, registration, and monitoring mechanisms for refugees and asylum seekers.
The official launch also featured addresses by Mr. Thomas WYLLIE, Deputy Regional Director of the UN Refugee Agency for West Africa, Mr. Norbert Tido N’DAH, first deputy mayor of Natitingou, and refugee spokesperson Mr. Albert NACOULMA. The latter reiterated the refugees’ promise to respect Bénin’s laws and work towards better social cohesion.
The ceremony concluded with tree planting and other activities.
