On September 11, 2025, as the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) convened in New York, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), World Relief, and the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) co-hosted a side event on Faith-Based Responses to the Global Displacement Crisis at Trinity Baptist Church.
The event brought together UN Member States, representatives from UN agencies, civil society organizations, and faith leaders to highlight the urgent situation of over 120 million people displaced worldwide and to call for collaborative, hope-filled solutions.
In his opening remarks, John Girgis, WEA’s Permanent Representative to the UN, tied the conversation to both global realities and personal experience. “120 million fathers, mothers, and children are not living in their homes today. If they were a country, only seven nations would be larger,” Girgis said. He added, “Displacement is not just about losing a place; it’s about the effort to find a sense of belonging again.”
Celia Nabeta, Minister Counsellor of the Uganda Mission to the UN, emphasized Uganda’s role as the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. She reaffirmed Uganda’s ongoing commitment to solidarity and support for displaced people, highlighting the challenges faced by host communities and the need for international partnership.
The event also featured remarks from Sivanka Dhanapala, UNHCR’s Director in New York, who emphasized the scale of the global crisis and the urgent need for solidarity.
The event featured a dynamic panel moderated by Brian Newby, WEA Refugee Advocate and Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. Panelists included:
· Galen Carey, Vice President of Government Relations at NAE, reflected on the responsibility of policymakers to ensure just and compassionate systems that protect the vulnerable.
· Durmomo Gary, Pastor of The Compass Church and a former refugee himself, spoke compellingly about the resilience of displaced communities and the crucial role of faith in recovery.
· Myal Greene, President & CEO of World Relief, emphasized the importance of holistic, community-driven responses that combine both humanitarian relief and long-term support.
· Krista Kartson, Vice President of Community Building and Engagement at Welcome.US, highlighted innovative partnerships to support refugee resettlement in the United States.
The gathering concluded with a call for bold collaboration, emphasizing the importance of compassion, solidarity, and moral responsibility in the global agenda as leaders gather during UNGA80.
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