21/05/2026
21 May 2026
Speech by the UNHCR Representative a.i., Ms. Helen Mebrahtu, at the Missionary Ambassadors for Global Evangelism Global Summit
Theme: The Role of Faith and Government in Peacebuilding of Nations, Bridging the Gap, and Effective Leadership for Community Transformation
Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, and honoured guests,
Thank you for the opportunity to address this important summit. It is both an honour and a privilege to join you in reflecting on the pressing issues surrounding refugees and forced displacement, and particularly the collective role of faith and government in peacebuilding, bridging divides, and fostering community transformation.
Before I begin, allow me to share a moment from my recent visit to Mayukwayukwa Refugee Settlement in Western Province that still stayed with me.
During the visit, one woman was proudly showing us her small vegetable garden—carefully tended, a quiet sign of resilience and hope. As she spoke, my attention was drawn to another woman sitting just outside her modest shelter, gently feeding her baby.
At one point, the baby laughed—a soft, joyful sound that felt almost out of place given everything they had endured. Both of them caught my attention.
I walked over and sat beside her. We spoke briefly, and she shared that she had arrived to Zambia not long ago, having fled conflict in her home country. When I asked her how she was coping, she paused for a moment, then said quietly:
“Here, I can sleep at night without running. For now, that is enough.”
That simple statement has stayed with me. It was not just about relief—it was about the profound human need for safety, for peace, for dignity.
Those simple, but powerful words are a reminder that beyond policies and programmes, beyond statistics and systems, forced displacement is about something profoundly human—and our continuous search/need for safety, dignity, and peace.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today, we face a sobering global reality. Over 117 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced by conflict, persecution, and violence. Here in Zambia, more than 115,000 people have sought refuge.
Behind these figures are human lives—families separated, communities disrupted, and futures uncertain. This is not only a humanitarian challenge; it is a shared moral responsibility—to save lives, restore dignity, and support pathways toward peace and lasting solutions.
Responding to displacement requires partnership.
Governments have the primary responsibility to uphold the rights and dignity of displaced people—through policies, protection systems, and access to essential services and livelihoods.
At the same time, faith-based organisations, play a vital role. Rooted in compassion and solidarity, they provide support, advocate for inclusion, and help foster acceptance within hosting/reciving communities.
Together, these complementary roles create a stronger, more effective response.
The experience of displacement is deeply human and reflected across faith traditions.
The story of Jesus and His family fleeing danger, and the journey of the Exodus, remind us that seeking safety is part of the human story. These narratives call us to respond with compassion, dignity, and solidarity.
Ladies and gentlemen
This year marks important milestones—the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 65th anniversary of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
These instruments reflect a global commitment to protect those forced to flee. It is essential that governments continue to: Provide access to asylum and legal protection; And support refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Faith leaders have a unique influence in shaping perspectives and promoting social cohesion.
By fostering messages of empathy and shared humanity, they can counter prejudice and build bridges between refugees and host communities. Through practical support—faith institutions help refugees move toward self-reliance while strengthening community bonds.
As churches often serve as first points of support, it is equally important to guide displaced individuals toward formal protection systems.
Encouraging registration with government authorities ensures access to legal status. because Without these legal and formal processes, individuals may face risks such as detention or exclusion from the protection they need.
Faith-based organisations therefore play a dual role—offering immediate compassion while supporting safe and sustainable pathways to protection.
In closing, the responsibility to protect displaced people is shared—and urgent.
The challenges of forced displacement are complex, but they are not insurmountable—particularly when we draw on the strength of partnership and the values that unite us: dignity, humanity, and justice.
Here in Zambia, we have witnessed how solidarity between government, communities of faith, and partners can create space for protection, inclusion, and hope. Zambia’s longstanding tradition of hospitality towards those seeking refuge stands as a powerful example of what compassionate and principled leadership can achieve.
So, let us strengthen collaboration between governments and faith communities. Let us move beyond words to action to uphold the dignity of those forced to flee, to build societies where inclusion, not exclusion, defines us.
let us be guided by the understanding that our actions today will shape not only the lives of those displaced, but the kind of societies we build together.
And let us work together for a future where peace prevails, and displacement is no longer a necessity.
“We cannot help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” — Ronald Reagan
And let us act with that conviction—each in our own sphere of influence—knowing that even the smallest act of compassion can restore hope and transform lives.
Let us choose compassion. Let us choose solidarity. Let us choose peace.
The true measure of our leadership will not be in what we say, but in what we do—together—to ensure that no one is left behind.
Let us rise to that responsibility with resolve, with solidarity, and with purpose. Thank you.
