Each year on 20 June, the world celebrates World Refugee Day, the international day to honour people who have been forced to flee. World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on 20 June and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
World Refugee Day shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees can not only survive but thrive. Here at MYAN, our work aims to advocate for and protect and improve the lives of refugees in Australia. This year, World Refugee Day focuses on solidarity with refugees.
We sat down with Noor, an amazing advocate who is part of the MYAN community, to hear more about her story.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Noor Azizah, and I am a proud Rohingya woman and the Director of the Rohingya Maiyafuìnor Collaborative Network (RMCN). Born stateless in Burma (Myanmar), I have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of systemic violence, persecution, and displacement on my community. Despite these hardships, I have dedicated my life to advocacy, focusing on uplifting Rohingya women’s voices and advancing human rights, gender equality, and justice. Through RMCN, I work alongside other resilient Rohingya women and allies to build solidarity with marginalized groups globally. My mission is to ensure that Rohingya stories are not forgotten and that our community gains the recognition and rights we deserve.
What has your journey to living in Australia looked like?
My journey has been long, painful, and marked by resilience. Fleeing the brutal persecution in Burma, I navigated dangerous terrains — crossing borders clandestinely, moving through dense and unforgiving jungles, often with nothing but hope as my guide. I found temporary refuge in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia, where I lived hidden deep in the jungle, constantly fearing arrest, detention, or deportation. Life there was precarious, with little access to basic services or security, yet it was a lifeline from the violence I fled. After years of uncertainty, in 2003, I was fortunate to resettle in Australia with my family. Australia became a place where I could rebuild my life, gain education and skills, and find a platform to amplify the voices of my people who remain displaced and stateless.
How has your experience being a refugee shaped you?
Living as a refugee has fundamentally shaped my identity, worldview, and sense of purpose. Today, there are over 3 million Rohingya globally, yet only about 1% of us live in any semblance of freedom and safety. Being part of this 1% means carrying a heavy responsibility—to be a voice for the millions trapped in camps, detention centers, and living under constant threat. My experience has taught me the power of resilience, community, and advocacy. It has deepened my commitment to fight against injustice and to work tirelessly towards ending the ongoing genocide and statelessness faced by the Rohingya. Freedom is not simply a status—it is a call to action for dignity, justice, and survival.
This World Refugee Day, what’s on your mind?
On this World Refugee Day, my thoughts turn to Rohingya mothers—the true heroes who have sacrificed everything to protect their children. Many have given birth under harrowing conditions—in detention centers, hidden jungles, or overcrowded boats at sea. Some have lost their children to the sea or to violence, bearing unimaginable grief in silence. These women embody strength, hope, and sacrifice, yet their stories often go unheard. Recognizing their courage is crucial—not only to honour their sacrifices but to galvanize global solidarity and action to support displaced families and end cycles of violence.
What can the community do to stand in solidarity with refugees?
True solidarity begins with listening and trusting refugees to lead the conversation about their own lives. Communities can support refugee-led organizations, amplify refugee voices in public discourse, and push governments to uphold human rights and offer safe pathways for resettlement. Solidarity is not about charity or “saving” refugees—it is about partnership, respect, and justice. It means challenging xenophobia and misinformation, creating welcoming spaces, and ensuring refugees have the power to make decisions about their futures. By standing alongside refugees, communities become part of a global movement for dignity, freedom, and peace.
MYAN stands in solidarity with refugees all over the world.