UNHCR warns against risky sea crossings in Yemen
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler on Yemen – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Despite conflict and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions, more...
Burning trash to keep warm in Syrian cut off town
UNHCR delivers winter clothing to residents of Qudsaya as part of a drive to provide life-saving aid to 4.6 million Syrians and Iraqis displaced across the region. QUDSAYA, Syria – Keeping a 100-square-metre apartment with bare concrete walls and a dirt floor warm...
Ending Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) – UNHCR Acts
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a violation of human rights. It denies the human dignity of the individual and hurts human development. UNHCR is committed to ending all forms of SGBV by working to prevent such violence before it happens and responding to...
Caught in the crossfire: conflict & children
Approximately half of the world’s refugees are children. The international community must act quickly to protect the millions of young people whose lives have been brutally interrupted by conflict. As of 2016, 65.3 million people around the world have been forced to...
UNHCR welcomes Kenya statement, urges flexibility
Today’s statement by the Government of Kenya on its continued search for solutions for refugees at Dadaab is welcome. Kenya has been generously hosting and protecting Somali refugees over many years in line with its international obligations. We are glad that this...
Families fleeing Mosul celebrate freedom
Men and women who escaped militant control in Iraq’s second city share their relief on reaching safety. HASANSHAM, Iraq – Father of six, Mahmoud Ahmad, 35, had a huge smile on his face as he clambered out of the crowded truck packed with other families, holding his...UNHCR provides winter help for displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees – but $60m is still required for Mosul response
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has this week begun distributing essential winter items to 1.2 million displaced Iraqis, including families recently displaced due to the current Mosul offensive, and to communities across Iraq that are hosting them. A total of 178,000...
UNHCR opens new Iraq camp amid Mosul displacement
Hasansham camp opens following largest displacement since start of Mosul offensive, as 8,000 men, women and children flee frontlines in past 24 hours. HASANSHAM, Iraq – UNHCR opened a new camp in Hasansham in northern Iraq on Friday to help accommodate the largest...