Refugees entering Iraq describe anguish at fleeing north-east Syria
As number of Syrian refugees crossing into Kurdistan Region of Iraq reaches some 10,000, one new arrival tells of crowded route to border and her fears of coming winter. By Rasheed Hussein Rasheed in Bardarash Camp, Kurdistan Region of Iraq When she finally...
New school brings Afghan students in from the cold
A UN-funded school building gives 500 children in a village north of Kabul a better chance at finishing their education. By Ali M. Latifi in Qarabagh, Afghanistan At 12, Mursal is the only girl in her sixth grade class. Over the years, all of the other girls –...
UNHCR launches sustainable energy strategy, strengthens climate action
In recognition of the growing climate crisis and to boost refugees’ access to safe and sustainable energy, while minimising its own environmental impact, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, launched a four-year Global Strategy for Sustainable Energy. The strategy promotes...
Getting your life back in Mexico after fleeing gang violence
A rapidly increasing number of women, children and men from the North of Central America are finding in Mexico the opportunity to be safe and rebuild their life. Has Canada a role to play? By Jean-Nicolas Beuze, UNHCR Representative in Canada I am just coming back...
Solidarity Conference Calls for Action as Venezuelans Depart in Droves
Joint Press Release by the European Union, UNHCR and IOM Brussels, 23 October – The dramatic flight of millions of Venezuelans has resulted in one of the direst displacement crises in the world and the largest in the recent history of the region. Nearly 80 per...
Refugee arrivals to Iraq pass 7,000 mark in seven days
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. A week after first refugees crossed from northeast Syria into Iraq, the arrivals to...
UNHCR chief applauds Zambia’s openness to refugees
Filippo Grandi commends the African nation for its generosity towards refugees and calls for additional humanitarian and development support during a two-day visit. By Catherine Wachiaya in Lusaka, Zambia UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called for...
Jordan’s accidental plumber trains team of Syrian refugee women
After a mistranslation led her to enrol in a plumbing workshop, Safaa trained her own team of mostly Syrian refugee women to fix leaky taps and challenge stereotypes. By Charlie Dunmore and Rima Cherri in Irbid, Jordan A former jewellery designer, Safaa had signed up...