Sport and refugees

Sport is present in almost every community around the world. People everywhere play, watch or participate in it. In many cases, sport is locally run, has well-established local and national infrastructure and coordination, and provides a reliable and essential service.

Sport has been present in displacement contexts since UNHCR has been working with refugees, internally displaced people and asylum seekers. For these people, all displaced by conflict, violence or persecution, sport can be more than just a recreational activity, it can provide an opportunity for inclusion and protection – an opportunity for healing, development and growth.

By mid-2023, UNHCR estimates that 110 million people worldwide have been displaced from their homes, with 72% of them coming from just five countries: the Syrian Arab Republic, Venezuela, Ukraine, Afghanistan and South Sudan. The majority are under the age of 18.

The Global Compact on Refugees, the international framework for finding more sustainable solutions to refugee situations, has highlighted the need for broader community action to address the challenges faced by displaced people and the communities that continue to generously host them. Sport can play a key role in this. Around the world, organisations are using sport as a tool for protection and inclusion, improving health and well-being, combating inequalities and working towards more cohesive societies.

Sport has the power to break down cultural barriers, improve physical and mental health, and create opportunities for more socially cohesive communities. However, simply providing sporting activities does not automatically lead to positive outcomes. Initiatives must be safe, purposefully designed and implemented – involving both refugees and host communities – to share power and ensure learning is learned and translated into positive, lasting change.

This page is aimed at organisations that are currently using, or are looking to use, sport in their work with refugees, internally displaced people, asylum seekers and host communities. It provides background information on the topic, information and links to key resources, as well as guidance and advice on some key considerations when working with displaced people.

Credits:

• This section was developed in partnership with the Refugee Sports Coalition.
• For more information, please contact the co-organisers of the Sport for Refugees Coalition at: [email protected]
• The image in the logo image at the top of this page was created by UNHCR.