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...
UN High Commissioner for Refugees visits Lebanon, as UNHCR ramps up support to Lebanese and refugees alike
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. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, is in Beirut today, starting a...
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...
UNHCR applauds Canada’s commitment to grant permanent residency to asylum-seekers working on COVID-19 frontlines
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes Canada’s announcement to open pathways to permanent residency for asylum-seekers in the healthcare sector who have worked on the frontlines of the country’s COVID-19 response. “This is an exemplary act of solidarity which...
More progress on statelessness in Central Asia as Turkmenistan becomes latest country to champion universal birth registration
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes a new law in Turkmenistan which will help ensure that all children born in the country will have their births registered. The Law on Civil Status Acts, which entered in to force in July, will help prevent new cases of...
Food aid offers lifeline to refugees under curfew in Libya
Amid soaring food prices and lack of casual work due to COVID-19 restrictions, joint UNHCR and WFP food aid prevents vulnerable refugees from going hungry. By Caroline Gluck in Tripoli, Libya Sitting under the shade of a tree in a small courtyard close to their home...
UNHCR, IOM: Interception at sea is not the solution to channel crossings
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are troubled by the proposal to intercept boats and return those attempting to cross the English Channel irregularly. The foreseen deployment of large naval vessels to deter such...