Greater solidarity needed with displaced
GENEVA – In an age of soaring global displacement, countries must transcend their national interests and come together to curb large-scale suffering, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the head of the UN Refugee Agency, Filippo Grandi, declared today. In keynote...
As beloved imam’s hope for peace live on
For decades, Imam Moussa Bawa worked with Italian nun Sister Maria Concetta to help refugees of all faiths to live in peace. On his death, his successor pledges to continue his work. When they welcomed newborn babies in this town in Democratic Republic of the Congo...
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...
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...
Hellenic Rescue Team lands 2016 Nansen Award
The Hellenic Rescue Team’s (HRT) tireless efforts to rescue refugees across the Greek islands have earned the recognition they deserve, after the organization was named as one of two winners of UNHCR’s 2016 Nansen Refugee Award. When flimsy, dilapidated boats...
Displaced athletes to make historic debut at Paralympics
GENEVA – Athletes with disabilities have vied for glory at the Paralympics since 1960. This summer, for the first time, para-athletes who have faced the additional challenge of being displaced from their homeland will compete in Rio de Janeiro as the Independent...
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,...