Vital aid reaches starving Syrians in besieged towns
MADAYA, Syria, Jan 11 (UNHCR)—The UN Refugee Agency today took part in a convoy of trucks that delivered life-saving aid of food and blankets to thousands of people trapped in dire conditions in besieged Syrian towns on Monday. The first trucks in a convoy of 49...
Growing insecurity triggers new South Sudan displacement
GENEVA, Jan 8 (UNHCR)—The UN Refugee Agency is increasingly concerned at recent growing insecurity in South Sudan’s southern state of Western Equatoria and its serious impact on the civilian population there. UNHCR cautioned that localized fighting between armed...
Life begins as one in a million
Samar Alzayadi’s age is counted in hours. Yet she’s endured more than most people will in a lifetime. She also has the dubious distinction to have been born the millionth refugee or migrant to arrive in Europe by sea in 2015. Lying in her hospital bed, Ahlam, Samar’s...
Solutions needed to stem global refugee crisis, says Grandi
GENEVA, Jan 7 (UNHCR)—With record numbers of refugees and displaced people worldwide, the new head of the UN Refugee Agency Filippo Grandi has urged greater diplomatic efforts to find solutions to conflicts and abuses driving people from their homes. “UNHCR is...
Filippo Grandi takes helm as UN High Commissioner for Refugees
GENEVA, Jan 4 (UNHCR)—Filippo Grandi, a UN official who has worked in refugee and political affairs in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, began his five-year term as UN High Commissioner for Refugees on January 1, succeeding António Guterres whose more than 10 years...
UNHCR battles cholera at world’s largest refugee complex
DADAAB, Kenya, Dec 31 (UNHCR)—Health workers at the world’s largest refugee complex in Kenya are gaining the upper hand in battling a cholera outbreak that has killed 10 people and sickened around 1,000 others since it broke out last month amid rains linked to...
Laughter, antics help refugee kids rediscover childhood
ERBIL, Iraq, Dec 30 (UNHCR)—A sense of excitement spread through the market area as dozens of children ran from their tents to find out where the music and laughter was coming from. It was a break from routine—the clowns were in town! The curious youngsters arrived to...
Over one million sea arrivals reach Europe in 2015
LESVOS, Greece, Dec 30 (UNHCR)—Over one million refugees and migrants have fled to Europe by sea this year, many on board dangerously inadequate vessels run by people smugglers, according to figures just released by the UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR’s latest figures...