UNHCR warns of “looming refugee crisis” in the Americas
Oct 28 (UNHCR)—In late 2014, four members of a brutal street gang abducted Norma and took her to a cemetery nearby her home in El Salvador. Three of the four then raped her. She believes she was targeted because she was married to a police officer. “They took...UNHCR warns of looming refugee crisis as women flee Central America and Mexico
Washington, D.C., 28 October 2015 (UNHCR)—Women in Central America and Mexico are fleeing their countries in rising numbers to escape a surge in deadly, unchecked gang violence, fuelling a looming refugee crisis in the Americas that demands urgent and concerted action...
More support needed for Somali refugees going back home from Kenya
GENEVA, Oct 16 (UNHCR)—Nearly 5,000 Somali refugees from Kenya’s Dadaab camps have returned home since December 2014 and a further 4,500 have signed up to go back, the UN refugee agency announced today. UNHCR has helped the returning refugees with transport to...
UNHCR head Guterres urges massive EU response to help Greece attend to refugees
GENEVA, Oct 9 (UNHCR)—UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres today appealed to the European Union to provide “massive support” to Greece to meet the needs of up to 6,000 refugees arriving each day as winter looms across Europe. He stressed that...
UNHCR’s Türk warns against growing politicization of refugee and asylum matters
GENEVA, Oct 8 (UNHCR)—UNHCR’s top International Protection expert warned today of growing risks to people fleeing war and persecution, and said a renewed spirit of commitment from governments worldwide to the core human rights and rule of law principles on which...
Refugee sea arrivals in Greece this year approach 400,000
ATHENS, Greece, October 2 (UNHCR)—The UN refugee agency said on Friday that refugee and migrant arrivals in Greece are expected to hit the 400,000 mark soon, despite adverse weather conditions. Greece remains by far the largest single entry point for new sea arrivals...
Refugee Crisis in Europe—Nansen Refugee Award OP-ED by UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Khaled Hosseini
Like millions around the world, I have been moved by the recent public outcry and spontaneous acts of solidarity towards refugees in Europe. It has been riveting to watch, as well as greatly encouraging. As an Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, I have been...
What’s it like to be a child refugee?
Stories of loss, hope, joy and fear from those forced to grow up too quickly Two facts to consider: 1) In 2014, half of all refugees were children. 2) On average, a camp refugee spends 17 years living there, an entire childhood’s worth of time. As a generation, these...