Soap maker in Kenya refugee camp lowers prices to fight COVID-19
Burundian refugee fights coronavirus, one bottle of soap at a time. By Samuel Otieno Odhiambo in Kakuma, Kenya When Innocent Havyarimana, a Burundian refugee, first heard handwashing was crucial in preventing coronavirus, he did something few businessmen would do – he...
UNHCR and humanitarian agencies strengthen health response in Kenya refugee camps
Nairobi/Geneva – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, humanitarian agencies and the Government of Kenya are strengthening their COVID-19 response, after it was confirmed by the Government that two individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Dadaab refugee camps. In...
Coronavirus threatens indigenous Venezuelans seeking safety in Brazil
COVID-19 has hit the Brazilian Amazon particularly hard, exposing highly vulnerable native people from Venezuela to the potentially deadly disease. By Victoria Hugueney in Brasília and Felipe Irnaldo in Manaus, Brazil Orlando Martínez had barely heard of COVID-19 when...
Women and children in firing line as violence drives 23,000 more refugees from Nigeria
UNHCR steps up activities, despite COVID-19, to assist Niger as new influx in April takes total figure to over 60,000. By Sélim Meddeb Hamrouni in Maradi, Niger As soon as they heard the first gunshots, Habsou and her sister Mariama* grabbed their children and ran...
Olympic Refuge Foundation: Sport can offer hope to displaced communities during the COVID-19 pandemic
Joint IOC/UNHCR press release The Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) today highlighted how sport can help build resilience and boost the mental health of forcibly displaced young people, especially during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The ORF Chair and IOC President, Thomas...
Why we must help – and learn from – refugees this Ramadan
A version of this op-ed was first published by Al Jazeera on 18 May. This Ramadan is unlike any other in living memory. Across the Muslim world mosques stand empty, iftar meals are strangely quiet affairs, and the joyful social gatherings that normally mark the Holy...
Indigenous refugees battle Coronavirus in Latin America
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. As the Coronavirus pandemic spreads through Latin America, UNHCR, the UN Refugee...
As coronavirus spreads, refugee doctors want to join the fight
Trained medics working as cashiers and wait staff want their qualifications recognized so they can save lives in the pandemic. By Sarah Schafer NEW YORK – When Lubab al-Quraishi heard that officials in New Jersey would allow internationally trained medical workers...