Why including refugees makes economic sense
UNHCR’s new Director of the Africa Bureau, Raouf Mazou, says the socioeconomic inclusion of refugees is vital to the agency’s efforts to protect and assist them. By Ariane Rummery in Geneva The lightbulb moment for Raouf Mazou, who recently wound up a five-year stint...
UN Refugee Chief urges Security Council for firm response to record-high displacement
Filippo Grandi stressed that it is possible to address unprecedented stigmatization of refugees and migrants. NEW YORK – The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, today reminded international leaders at the United Nations Security Council of their...Amid Libya clashes, UNHCR relocates detained refugees to safety
In light of current insecurity in Libya’s capital, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today relocated more than 150 refugees from the Ain Zara detention centre in south Tripoli to UNHCR’s Gathering and Departure Facility in a nearby safe zone. The Ain Zara detention centre...
Swollen rivers, mass crowding, add to risks at Venezuela borders
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. Despite Venezuela having officially closed its land borders with neighbouring...
Venezuelans risk life and limb to seek help in Colombia
Refugees and migrants brave floods, bandits and treacherous footpaths in a desperate search for food, medicine and safety in Cúcuta. By William Spindler CÚCUTA, Colombia – Venezuelan Jose Luis Jimenez already risked bandits and armed groups to slip across the border...
Cyclone Idai survivors struggle to rebuild devastated communities
Cut off by flood damage, residents of Buzi in Mozambique remain in desperate need of supplies before they can turn to rebuilding their lives. By Charlie Yaxley, Peter Holmes à Court and Vania Turner in Buzi, Mozambique Along a main road in Buzi, Mozambique, fallen...
UNHCR says Ukraine landmine risk needs urgent action
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. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling for increased efforts to address the dangers...
Climate change threatens water supply for refugees — here’s what UNHCR is doing about it
Both lack and excess of water can be just as challenging for humanitarian workers 20 litres per person per day — this is the minimum amount of water UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency aims to provide for every refugee living in a refugee camp. Yet only in 43% of the camps...