UNHCR moves 1,100 out of tents, beating first snow of winter
The United Nations Refugee Agency has arranged 19,500 places in apartments, hotels and with host families throughout Greece for relocation candidates and vulnerable asylum-seekers. ATHENS, Greece – Iraq refugee Kheri Mando Sliman, relieved to have left a freezing cold...
UNHCR calls for stronger EU action on refugees
In a paper presented to the European Union (EU) today, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, called for a far-reaching reform of Europe’s global engagement with refugees, including the European asylum system. UNHCR called on Europe to offer more strategic and targeted support...
The 1951 Refugee Convention ‘is as relevant today’
While the world has changed in the 65 years since the Convention was drawn up, UNHCR’s protection chief, Volker Türk, explains why it remains relevant today. GENEVA – The 1951 Refugee Convention is the cornerstone of refugee protection and the work of UNHCR, the UN...
UNHCR to governments: People fleeing war to be considered refugees
Faced with record displacement from war and conflict, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has this week moved to reinforce the global refugee protection regime by issuing new guidelines on dealing with people fleeing their country because of war. The guidelines aim to...
Q&A: A survivor breaks her silence
Yami Msosa speaks on her experience as a gender-based violence survivor. Her dedication in raising awareness and empowering young women and girls extends beyond her employment at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa. OTTAWA, Canada, December 1 (UNHCR) – Since...
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...