Escaping airstrikes in Eastern Ukraine: an 82-year-old’s journey to safety
With intensified hostilities in eastern regions of Ukraine, Nina Ryazantseva was among thousands of people who have fled or been evacuated from frontline communities in recent months By Chadi Ouanes As fighting raged around her village in the north of Ukraine’s...
UNHCR’s Grandi appeals for urgent humanitarian support and an end to the bloodshed in Lebanon
BEIRUT – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, called on Sunday for greater international support to stem the humanitarian catastrophe engulfing Lebanon. Two weeks of deadly Israeli airstrikes have killed hundreds and forced over a million...
Displaced families in Lebanon yearn for peace and a return home
In Lebanon, UNHCR’s Grandi urges increased international support and an immediate ceasefire to ease the plight of some 1.2 million people displaced by deadly airstrikes By Dalal Harb and Houssam Hariri At a school in the Burj Hammoud neighbourhood of the Lebanese...
Keynote address at the Refugee Law Initiative Annual Conference, 3 June 2024 (Conference theme: ‘Pacts, promises and refugee protection’)
‘Reinforcing rights and legal principles in the face of global challenges: the Global Compact on Refugees’ By Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection I. Introduction Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished colleagues, and esteemed guests, It is...
UNHCR: As crisis deepens in Lebanon, more flee to Syria and beyond to escape bombs
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Rula Amin – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. GENEVA – Intensifying airstrikes have forced yet more people from their homes in Lebanon in...
UNHCR calls for continued international solidarity to address displacement and insecurity in Haiti
GENEVA – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling for increased and urgent attention, support, and solutions for Haitians affected by violence and insecurity, including those who have been forcibly displaced. UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, Raouf...
Lebanese and Syrians suffer loss and displacement amid surging attacks
Recent intensified attacks across Lebanon are having devastating consequences for Lebanese and refugees living in the country By UNHCR staff Since a deadly escalation of the conflict in Lebanon began just over a week ago, the Government estimates that more than 1...
UNHCR sounds alarm on worsening humanitarian situation in the DR Congo
GOMA – Prolonged conflict, serious human rights abuses and flagrant violations of international humanitarian law are unleashing grave suffering on internally displaced Congolese and refugees, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned today. The warning follows a...