UNHCR and SICCI Partner to Advocate for Refugee Inclusion at Chennai Event

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) commemorated World Refugee Day 2026 on Friday in Chennai, highlighting the need for social inclusion and employment opportunities for residents of camps including the Puzhal refugee camp. The event, held under the theme "United for a Better Tomorrow: Partnerships for Solutions," brought together government officials, refugee youth, and civic leaders to address ongoing livelihood challenges.

During the event, the annual UNHCR-SICCI Partnership Report 2026 was officially released. Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Commissioner G.S. Sameeran addressed the gathering, emphasizing that society must collectively recognize the hardships refugees face and work to make them feel included. He stated that camps should feel like homes and called for a long-term vision for refugees at the state, national, and global levels.

Refugee children from the Puzhal, Bhavanisagar, and Pooluvapatti camps participated in the event, sharing their experiences of learning coding without computers through specialized workshops. R. Sadheesh, the Director of Rehabilitation & NRT Welfare, listened to the concerns raised by the youth from these camps and committed to working toward securing greater recognition and opportunities for them.

Areti Sianni, the UNHCR Chief of Mission for India and Maldives, spoke about the necessity of showing solidarity and compassion toward refugee children. She noted that significant progress has been made through the efforts of the State government and various partners to help refugees access education, acquire skills, and build community support networks to shape their own futures.

Actor and composer Hiphop Tamizha Adhi also spoke at the event, calling for increased public awareness regarding the challenges faced by refugees in the state. He pointed out that well-educated individuals living in the camps often struggle to find deserved employment opportunities due to the "refugee" label. He announced that his organization plans to conduct talent scouts within the camps to connect residents with opportunities in the media industry.

Satchithananda Valan Michael, the head of the UNHCR field office, delivered the welcome address at the commemoration, which focused on building partnerships to find sustainable solutions for refugee communities.