Press Release, ACNS.
The global migration and refugee crisis represents one of the most significant humanitarian challenges of our time, but Anglicans around the world are actively advocating for change and supporting displaced people in their communities.
During the nineteenth meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19), a session for delegates was held on the topic of the migration crisis. Led by the Special Representative to the United Nations on behalf of the Anglican Communion, Ms Martha Jarvis, and the Executive Director of the Anglican Alliance, Mr Rob Dawes, the session on July 2 covered the prevalence of displacement, the dangers it creates and the Church’s response to this.
Martha shared statistics from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which indicated that 117.8 million people are currently displaced (close to the population of Ethiopia). It was noted that 68% of these are hosted in low and middle-income countries, 65% are in a neighbouring country and 39% are children. This is the state of displacement now.
The misinformation and deliberate appropriation of blame and polarising narratives by politicians were discussed, with several ACC delegates commenting that migration was an ‘election-deciding issue’ in their country.
Delegates also considered biblical examples of displacement such as Ruth and Naomi, Hagar, the story of Esther, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Adam and Eve’s exile from the Garden of Eden, as well as the Exodus.
A major focus of the session was on advocacy. Across the Anglican Communion – and through ecumenical relationships – the church continues to advocate and act for justice on matters of migration. Tying in with World Refugee Day this year (June 20 2026), the Anglican Communion’s representatives on the UNHCR Multi-Religious Council of Leaders issued a joint letter speaking against the divisive practice of politicians using refugees as a scapegoat and vote-winning tool.
The Diocese of Egypt – Responses to the migration crisis
The Most Revd Dr Samy Fawzy Shehata, Primate of Alexandria, Bishop of Egypt and member of the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order (IASCUFO), spoke powerfully about Egypt’s response to hosting refugees from 60 different nationalities. Through the ministry of Refuge Egypt, the diocese provides humanitarian assistance, medical care and livelihood support to help build self-sufficiency and self-respect in preparation for repatriation, resettlement or local integration into Egyptian society.