Press Release Archives & Collections

UNHCR’s aid airlift arrives safely in Yemen

May 15, 2015 | Press Release

The first of six UNHCR airplanes bringing urgently needed aid supplies landed safely in Yemen today boosting relief stocks in the war-ravaged country, on the third day of the temporary humanitarian pause. The plane carrying blankets, kitchen utensils and sleeping mats...

New Mediterranean boat tragedy may be biggest ever, urgent action is needed now

Apr 20, 2015 | Press Release

Press Releases, 19 April 2015 UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres today expressed his shock at the latest boat capsizing on the Mediterranean, and the hundreds of lives reported to have been lost. As of a short time ago, according to information from...

The IKEA Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign raises €10.8 million for UNHCR

Apr 10, 2015 | Press Release

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, thanks IKEA customers and co-workers for supporting ‘Brighter Lives for Refugees’, a global cause-related campaign that raised €10.8 million for refugees this year. The campaign ran in IKEA stores globally from 1 February to 29 March...

UNHCR study shows rapid deterioration in living conditions of Syrian refugees in Jordan

Jan 14, 2015 | Press Release

UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres says large numbers of Syrian refugees are sliding into abject poverty, and at an alarming rate, due to the magnitude of the crisis and insufficient support from the international community. He made the statement at...

UNHCR announces push to end statelessness worldwide by end-2024

Nov 4, 2014 | Press Release

UNHCR is today launching a global “I Belong” campaign aimed at ending within 10 years the problem of statelessness – a devastating legal limbo for the millions of people worldwide who lack any nationality and the human rights protections that go with it. The goal of...

Canadian Government Contribution to the UN Refugee Agency surpasses all time high

Dec 19, 2013 | Press Release

OTTAWA, 19 December 2013 – Canada’s annual contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) so far this year, amounts to over 77 million Canadian dollars (CAD), making it the highest ever annual Canadian contribution to the UN Refugee Agency....

UNHCR welcomes the Supreme Court judgment in Ezokola

Jul 19, 2013 | Press Release

OTTAWA, 19 July 2013—The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) welcomes the judgment issued today by the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of Ezokola, which addresses fundamental issues related to exclusion from refugee status on grounds of...

More emergency funds needed for the Syria refugee crisis

May 14, 2013 | Press Release

OTTAWA, 14 May 2013—The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is raising the alarm over the continuous massive exodus and the growing humanitarian needs caused by the conflict in Syria. UNHCR estimates there are now nearly 1.5 million registered Syrian...

UNHCR welcomes positive elements in the Canadian refugee reform, as Bill C-31, Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act, receives Royal Assent

Jun 29, 2012 | Press Release

Ottawa, June 29, 2012 — Today as Bill C-31, Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act received royal assent, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) welcomes the positive elements introduced with the refugee reform and the important amendments...