2015 likely to break records for forced displacement – study
GENEVA, Dec 18 (UNHCR)—With almost a million people having crossed the Mediterranean as refugees and migrants so far this year, and conflicts in Syria and elsewhere continuing to generate staggering levels of human suffering, 2015 is likely to exceed all...
Restoring peace must become a priority, says Guterres
GENEVA, Dec 18 (UNHCR)—Renewed efforts to bring peace to conflicts across the world must become the priority of the international community if current record levels of global displacement are not to continue, António Guterres, the outgoing head of the UN Refugee...
Europe crisis: +850,000 arrivals by sea as of November 2015
Making a world of difference: responding wherever needed Staggering numbers of refugees and migrants have risked their lives crossing the Mediterranean and thousands continue to do so every day, desperate to reach safety in Europe. Over half of them are Syrians,...
HC’s Dialogue: Understanding and addressing displacement
GENEVA, Dec 16 (UNHCR)—From the Middle East to Africa, wars and conflict are driving an unprecedented number of people from their homes. Meanwhile, in other places, most notably parts of Asia, floods, storms, cyclones and droughts are destroying more and more...
As sea levels rise, Bangladeshis seek higher ground
COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh, Dec 15 (UNHCR)—When a cyclone struck low-lying Kutubdia Island in 1991, the water surged across Nur Jahan’s plot of farmland, swallowed up her home and swept away all six of her children. “The sea simply ate it,” she...
Don’t give terror groups propaganda says Guterres
GENEVA, Dec 10, (UNHCR)—The head of the UN Refugee Agency António Guterres has warned that anti-Muslim rhetoric, including pressure for tighter border controls, could backfire and play into the hands of terror groups. “What you are saying (with this) is the best...
Young Afghan uses language skills to help medics on Lesvos
LESVOS, Greece, Nov 20 (UNHCR)—Amena Yusufi, a 21-year-old woman from Afghanistan, stepped out of a medical tent on Lesvos’ busy Moria reception and registration centre and called for the next patient. A mother and her baby stepped forward. Amena listened...
Urgent action needed to address child statelessness
Nov 3 (UNHCR) – Thirteen-year-old Joe Hullman dreams of playing baseball in his native Dominican Republic. But because he has no birth certificate or identity papers, he scavenges instead for scrap metal at the San Pedro de Macoris municipal dump. Half a world away in...