Read between the lines this Refugee Week

It may be a simple act, but it can have a lasting impact.

Simple acts are everyday actions we can all take to stand with refugees. One of the most powerful acts is also one of the simplest: picking up a book.

Stories are more than just entertainment. They’re how we make sense of the world and our place in it. They connect us across cultures and borders, offering windows into lives that may be different from our own, whilst reminding us of our shared human experience.

This Refugee Week, take some time to read a book written by or about refugees, asylum seekers, or internally displaced people. These stories are more than narratives, they’re powerful testimonies of resilience, courage, and hope in the face of adversity.

When we read refugee stories, we step into someone else’s shoes. We begin to understand the fear of fleeing home, the uncertainty of starting over, and the strength it takes to rebuild. These perspectives challenge stereotypes, combat misinformation, and remind us of our shared humanity.

Books have the power to shift hearts and minds. They can spark empathy, start conversations, and inspire action. Sometimes, a story is all it takes to turn compassion into commitment.

This Refugee Week, start with a story and read for refugees. Check out three of our recommendations below, two of which were written by UK for UNHCR Storytellers and head over to The Storygraph to take part in this reading challenge:

The Boy with Two Hearts: A Story of Hope by Hessam and Hamed Amiri

A moving memoir of an Afghani family’s flight to the UK after their mother was targeted by the Taliban for speaking out for women’s rights. Central to their journey is the eldest son Hussein, who needs urgent treatment for a life-threatening heart condition. This book is not only a testament to the strength of family love in the face of unimaginable challenges, but a true love letter to the NHS.

The Survivor Champion: The Remarkable Story of a Refugee Child by Josée Kana Bizimana

The Survivor Champion is a powerful true story of resilience and hope, following Josée’s journey to safety after being caught in three war zones as a teenager – the Burundi civil war, 1993, Rwandan Genocide, 1994, and the Congo DRC civil war, 1996. Forced to navigate unimaginable hardship, Josée shares her journey from displacement to rebuilding her life, emerging not as a victim but as a champion.

The Lightless Sky: My Journey to Safety as a Child Refugee by Gulwali Passarlay

Gulwali Passarlay’s memoir recounts his experience fleeing war-torn Afghanistan at the age of twelve, and his long, perilous journey across borders in search of safety. His story sheds light onto the struggle of unaccompanied child refugees, whilst also serving as a testament to courage, determination, and the will to survive against all odds.

By reading stories about refugee experiences, we deepen our understanding of migration and displacement and why standing in solidarity matters.

This Refugee Week, take a simple step that makes a difference: read a refugee’s story. Let it change the way you see the world.

Visit our website here to find out more about what we’re doing for Refugee Week this year, and what you can do to show your solidarity with refugees.