Popole makes history – twice – at Rio Games
Congolese judoka wins hearts among fellow refugees and Brazilians with tough story of triumph over adversity. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – When Popole Misenga’s image appeared on the giant television screen, the waiting crowd exploded in delight. Shouts, songs and chants...60,000 flee South Sudan’s recent violence
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming—to whom quoted text may be attributed—at the press briefing, on 2 August 2018, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Refugee flows from South Sudan into Uganda have doubled in the past ten days,...
Hundreds suffer at Hungary-Serbia border
RÖSZKE, Hungary – Sayed Parwez Ahmadi looks concerned as he puts another twig on the fire burning in front of their family tent in the makeshift camp near Röszke on the Hungary-Serbia border. His wife, brother and two cousins pull closer to the flames, as the...
Refugee athletes set to leave for Rio Olympics and history
NAIROBI, Kenya—Amid tears of joy, farewell hugs and songs of encouragement a group of smiling young refugee African athletes flew out of Nairobi today bound for the Rio Olympics in Brazil and an appointment with history. Five middle-distance runners from South Sudan,...
Flight is familiar for some South Sudan families
ADJUMANI, Uganda—Lucy Lul says she realised war was coming when she heard there was a convoy of vehicles on the road from Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to Uganda. She and her husband packed a bag with their children’s clothes, she grabbed her handbag and they ran...
‘Refugee’ or ‘migrant’ – Which is right?
GENEVA, Aug 27 (UNHCR) – With more than 65 million people forcibly displaced globally and boat crossings of the Mediterranean still regularly in the headlines daily, the terms ‘refugee’ and ‘migrant’ are frequently used interchangeably in media...
Refugees transform walls into works of art
SAADI, Iran – Until recently, discriminating graffiti and widespread rubbish problems fuelled social tensions between Iranians and Afghans in the Saadi neighbourhood of Shiraz, Iran. Now, thanks to UNHCR and the Government of Iran, refugees and the local community...
Hungary sending asylum seekers back to Serbia
RÖSZKE, Hungary – The UN Refugee Agency said today it was deeply concerned that asylum-seekers were reportedly being forced back across the border into Serbia under new Hungarian regulations and called for an investigation into reports that they were being subjected...