Central African Republic urged to allow refugees to vote in landmark poll
GENEVA, July 14 (UNHCR)—The UN refugee agency said on Tuesday (July 14) it was alarmed by a decision of the interim parliament of the Central African Republic (CAR) to exclude refugees who fled to neighbouring states and elsewhere to escape fighting in the country...
Yemen receives over 10,000 new arrivals by sea since start of conflict in March
GENEVA, July 14 (UNHCR)—Thousands of people have been tricked into going to Yemen since the start of the current conflict in March, according to the latest figures made available by the UN refugee agency on Tuesday (July 14). UNHCR Yemen Representative Johannes van...
Malala marks 18th birthday by opening school for girl refugees
BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 13 (UNHCR)– Human Rights Activist and Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai has marked her 18th birthday with a renewed commitment to refugees and education by inaugurating a school for more than 200 Syrian girls living in refugee camps in...
More than four million Syrians have now fled war and persecution
GENEVA, July 9 (UNHCR)—More than four million Syrians have now fled war and persecution and become refugees in neighbouring countries, making the Syrian conflict the UN refugee agency’s worst crisis for almost a quarter of a century. Latest figures from UNHCR...
A Childhood Cut Short by Syria’s War
During a break between classes, Ivra and her clutch of friends sit near the edge of a small playground in southern Turkey. Teenagers, they’re mostly dressed in skinny jeans and trainers; some wear decorative scarves and nail polish. As they gossip, crack jokes...South Sudan: Ger Duany’s Independence Day message
On the occasion of South Sudan’s independence day, 9 July 2015, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ger Duany visits Sud Academy in Nairobi, Kenya where 250 children struggle to earn an education.UNHCR: Total number of Syrian refugees exceeds four million for first time
GENEVA (July 9, 2015) The number of refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria to neighbouring countries has now passed four million, confirming this crisis as the world’s single largest refugee crisis for almost a quarter of a century under UNHCR’s...
Mediterranean crisis sees former Vietnamese boat person break long silence
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 6 (UNHCR) – Harrowing images of the Mediterranean boat crisis has brought back “bitter sweet” memories for Anh Lê, one of Denmark’s most famous Vietnamese restaurateurs, who crossed oceans herself to arrive where she is...