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.

He told ACC-19 that Egypt is currently home to 10 million migrants and refugees, many of whom have fled Yemen, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Libya over recent years. 'Behind every one of these figures,' he said, 'is a face, a family and a story.'

Archbishop Samy reflected that despite this concentration of displaced people, 'Egypt keeps no refuge camps. Our guests do not live behind fences.' Three-quarters of those the diocese serves are women and children, he explained — many of whom have 'endured violence on the journey' and 'arrive not only hungry and homeless but wounded, and often carrying children who have seen things no child should ever see.'

With the support of aid partners, the church in Egypt has provided 20,000 medical consultations — including antenatal care and hundreds of treatments for HIV, TB and malnutrition. It has also facilitated vocational training for almost 300 people, helping them learn employable skills, and coordinated 384 signed employment contracts. Several Sudanese worshipping communities have been established as well, enabling refugees to worship according to their own traditions.

Archbishop Samy described this work as 'the quiet, patient work of restoring dignity to those the world has forgotten' — a way, he said, of making the Gospel 'visible' through the church's ministry to refugees. Speaking of the women and children who have found support through this work, he said: 'This is what our ministry looks like… tears turned to joy.'

People On The Move

The UN’s routes-based approach in supporting the safety of migrants and refugees was also discussed, as churches are often situated along major migration routes.

In view of this, the Anglican Alliance recently released a new resource titled People On The Move. Collaboration, safety and holistic support for the vulnerable sit at the heart of the resource's purpose, and delegates heard practical ways their communities can welcome the stranger with both compassion and competence.

The resource highlights mental health support and legal assistance as two key areas where churches can play an instrumental role in helping those fleeing conflict or migrating. It also includes a section on recognising exploitation and human trafficking, a grave danger for displaced people, with women and girls statistically at greatest risk.

To conclude the session, delegates then met together in groups according to their geographical region to discuss ways to work more closely together, united in humanitarian and pastoral ministry to displaced people as they travel.

More information

Find out how Anglicans are acting to support the safety and dignity of refugees and migrants.

Read the recent joint statement from the two Anglican representatives on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Multi-Religious Council of Leaders.

Learn more about the People on the Move resource from the Anglican Alliance or view it on the Anglican Communion website.

Learn more about Refuge Egypt, the ministry for refugees in the Diocese of Egypt.