#WithRefugees petition heads to UN Secretary-General
With over 1.3 million signatures, the petition will be handed to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and General Assembly President Peter Thomson in New York. NEW YORK – We asked you to show solidarity with millions of refugees and more than 1.3 million of you have come...
UNHCR calls on EU states to increase pledges
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. One year ago, the European Union (EU) and Member States agreed on a two-year plan...
Mobile connectivity a lifeline for refugees, report finds
New study by UNHCR and Accenture finds mobile phone and internet access is as critical to refugees’ safety and security as food, shelter and water. GENEVA – As well as being essential for keeping in touch with loved ones, many refugees view access to a mobile phone...
Displaced Syrian swimmer competes at Paralympics
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Syrian swimmer Ibrahim Al-Hussein made a splash at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the heat of the 100-metre freestyle on Monday. While he did not make it through to the final in the S9 category, he proved to the world...
Concerns for Nigerian returnees
GENEVA – Hundreds of internally displaced people are returning to devastated villages and towns recently liberated from Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria’s Borno state, raising concerns about living conditions, basic services and security in the area, UNHCR, the UN...
Cate Blanchett, Kit Harington & stars in refugee video
In the moment they flee, refugees cast a last desperate look around their homes and grab a few vital possessions to take into exile. Highlighting their harrowing choices, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett today launched a powerful video, supporting UNHCR’s...
Hundreds of Nigerians return to devastated homes
Hundreds of internally displaced Nigerians are returning to devastated villages and towns that have recently been liberated by the Nigerian armed forces in the north-eastern state of Borno. UNHCR expects the number to grow in the coming weeks, but we remain concerned...
Displaced athletes make debut at Paralympic Games
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – To rousing cheers and a standing ovation, two para-athletes who faced the additional challenge of being displaced from their homeland made history on Wednesday leading the parade of athletes at the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Paralympic Games...