On Saturday, June 20, 2026, the youth centre in Natitingou hosted the official events for World Refugee Day, edition 2026.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr Djibril MAMA CISSE, Minister of the Interior and Public Security, alongside Ms Aminatou SAR, UN Resident Coordinator in Bénin, and Mr Thomas WYLLIE, Regional Deputy Director of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for West Africa. The event featured speeches, visits to exhibition stands showcasing income-generating activities run by refugees, and a tree-planting session.

“Until everyone is safe” was this year’s international theme, designed to spark reflection on the situation of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. According to updated figures, Bénin currently hosts 29,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with an additional 14,000 individuals awaiting refugee status.

In her address, Ms Aminatou SAR said these numbers reflect a real strain on the country but also highlight the dedication of the Béninese government and its people to welcoming and protecting refugees and asylum seekers. She assured that the UN system remains fully engaged alongside Bénin, working daily to protect displaced persons, ensure access to food and healthcare, guarantee children’s education, and provide psychosocial support.

Speaking at the event, Minister Djibril MAMA CISSE stated that World Refugee Day is a key moment to reaffirm solidarity with those forced to flee their homes because of persecution, conflict, and violence. He said this year’s theme reminds us that refugee protection is a shared responsibility requiring solidarity, humanity, and cooperation among international organisations and communities. Bénin, he assured, guarantees refugee protection through a strengthened legal and institutional framework, allowing refugees on Béninese soil to access essential services in health, education, employment, and social protection.

Despite the current security context, Minister CISSE reaffirmed Bénin’s commitment to the right to asylum and the principle of non-refoulement, explaining that national security imperatives and international protection requirements can be reconciled through effective mechanisms for identifying, registering, and monitoring refugees and asylum seekers.

The official launch also featured remarks from Mr Thomas WYLLIE, Natitingou’s first deputy mayor Mr Norbert Tido N’DAH, and refugee spokesperson Mr Albert NACOULMA. Mr NACOULMA reiterated the refugees’ promise to respect Bénin’s laws and regulations and to work for better social cohesion.

The ceremony concluded with tree planting and other activities.