UNHCR: Conflict, violence, climate change drove displacement higher in first half of 2021
The trend in rising forced displacement continued into 2021 – with global numbers now exceeding 84 million – as more people fled violence, insecurity and the effects of climate change, according to the Mid-Year Trends report released today by UNHCR, the UN Refugee...
Dwindling rains in northern Cameroon spark conflict and displacement
The worst intercommunal fighting ever seen in Cameroon’s Far North Region was triggered by attempts to adapt to climate change. By Xavier Bourgois in Kousseri, Cameroon More than 7,000 kilometres away from Glasgow, where world leaders are gathered to tackle the...
UNHCR and IOM Call for immediate de-escalation at the Belarus-Poland border
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are alarmed by the latest reports from the Belarus-Poland border and call on States to ensure that the safety and human rights of migrants and refugees are upheld. On 8 November,...
Fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo forces 11,000 to flee to Uganda
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. An upsurge of fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has forced at least...
In Honduras, climate change is one more factor sparking displacement
With hurricanes and other extreme weather events becoming ever more powerful and frequent, increasing numbers of people in gang-wracked Honduras are having to flee their homes. By María Rubi in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and Tim Gaynor in Tijuana, Mexico Two months...
Climate change is an emergency for everyone, everywhere
A devastating convergence of conflict and climate change is driving displacement and making life even more precarious for those forced to flee. By UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi In the run-up to COP26, much of the conversation has dealt with...
Poet and activist Emi Mahmoud brings voices of refugees to COP26
Poet and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Emtithal (Emi) Mahmoud had conversations with refugees in several countries before composing the poem she will perform at the UN climate change meeting in Glasgow this week. By Kristy Siegfried Emi Mahmoud was just 12 when she did...
COP26: UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Emtithal Mahmoud calls for urgent global action in new poem highlighting impact of climate change on humankind
World champion poet, Emtithal Mahmoud performs and releases new poem at COP26 to highlight how the climate crisis is a human crisis, particularly for refugees and those displaced. Emotive poem highlighting discussions with refugees living on the front lines of the...