Book marks refugees' resilience on World Refugee Day

As the world is seeing increasingly turbulent times, it is vital for people to embrace the enduring strengths of hope and resilience — to cherish peace, and summon the courage needed to face an uncertain future.

On the occasion of the 2025 World Refugee Day on Friday, the UN Refugee Agency in China joined Melissa Fleming, UN under-secretary-general for global communications and the author of A Hope More Powerful Than The Sea, for a talk on her book at the bookstore PageOne's Qianmen branch in Beijing.

Published in English in 2017, the book tells the story of a young woman, Doaa Al Zamel, and her perilous journey from Syria to Egypt and then by boat, in 2014, across the Mediterranean in the hope of finding safety in Europe. A Chinese edition of the book is now being re-released.

According to Fleming, this book is more than one refugee's survival story, it is a testament to the enduring resilience and hope within displaced communities worldwide. She observed that refugees are often unfairly judged for circumstances that are beyond their control or blamed for things that they are not responsible for. Through this book, she said she hoped to illuminate their unacknowledged courage and fortitude.

Sophie Muller, the UNHCR representative in China, highlighted the unprecedented global challenges posed by conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and beyond. With the UNHCR facing greater challenges than ever, she underscored the profound relevance of Al Zamel's story — a powerful voice of courage and hope in today's world.

Siddharth Chatterjee, the UN's resident coordinator in China, said he appreciated the book's powerful message, noting how Al Zamel's story amplifies the voices of millions who are too often overlooked — a vital reminder in a world confronting over 80 active conflicts and more than 122 million displaced people.

When the microphone was passed to Doaa Al Zamel, the book's central figure, she said that she hopes her story can help people understand the importance of security and prompt them to help those in need, like her, in the future.

After the talks, Melissa Fleming and Doaa Al Zamel signed copies of the book for readers.