UNHCR chief praises aid workers battling multiple crises
On World Humanitarian Day, Filippo Grandi honours the ‘depth of commitment’ to a role made ‘significantly harder’ by COVID-19. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi today praised the “depth of commitment” shown by humanitarian workers during a year in which...
Mounting violence forces one million to flee homes in Burkina Faso
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Escalating violence has now driven more than one million people from their homes in...
UNHCR mobilizes aid for Beirut in aftermath of deadly blast
Agency channels US$35 million in emergency funds to worst-affected by explosion, focusing on shelter and protection needs among Lebanese, refugees and migrants. By Houssam Hariri in Beirut, Lebanon As Lebanon confronts the devastating toll of the explosion that ripped...
Brazil field hospital a life saver for indigenous stricken by COVID-19
Native people are among the hardest hit by coronavirus. A field hospital in Boa Vista is helping save their lives. By Allana Ferreira in Boa Vista, Brazil When her COVID-19 test came back positive, Dialisa Mata was unable to hold back the flood of tears. She had...
South Sudanese sisters overcome heartbreak and make a new life in Ethiopia
Siblings Nyamach and Nyakoang are among more than 42,000 South Sudanese refugee children in Ethiopia who are either unaccompanied or separated from their parents or guardians. By Katie Nguyen in Gambella, Ethiopia Nyamach Lul has known more loss and sorrow in her 16...
Landmines, improvised explosive devices pose deadly risks for displaced in Sahel and Lake Chad
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling for stronger efforts to mitigate the risks for...
Persecution and perseverance: Survival stories from the Hazara community
By Derakhshan Qurban-Ali and Hannah Scott in Toronto, Canada | All photos by © UNHCR/Chris Young Few have heard of the Hazara, an ethnic group native to Afghanistan. For over a century, the Hazara community has suffered from targeted discrimination, persecution, and...
UNHCR welcomes new Ukrainian statelessness law set to end legal limbo for thousands
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes a new statelessness law in Ukraine which came...