UNHCR rushing support and aid to Rohingya refugees affected by last week’s massive fire
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. An estimated 48,000 Rohingya refugees have lost their shelters and belongings in the...
Nepal becomes first country in Asia Pacific to vaccinate refugees against COVID-19
Nepal is vaccinating refugees over the age of 65 as part of its national vaccination rollout. By Deepesh Das Shrestha in Kathmandu, Nepal Laxmi Maya Regmi, 72, a refugee from Bhutan, never thought that she would need a vaccination at her age. But on 19 March, she was...
United Nations Chiefs urge donors to support record appeals for Syrians and the region
Joint OCHA/UNHCR/UNDP Press Release On the eve of the fifth Brussels conference for Syria, the United Nations humanitarian, refugee and development chiefs have urged international donors to step up and stand with the millions of people in Syria and the region who...
‘Everything is burnt to ashes’
Rohingya refugees who lost everything in the massive fire that tore through a camp in southern Bangladesh on Monday prepare to start over, once again. By UNHCR staff Halima, 37, was inside her shelter in the Kutupalong camp with her five young children when the sound...
UNHCR reaches destroyed camps in northern Tigray
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has gained access to the Shimelba and Hitsats refugee...
Awards honour refugee-led response to COVID-19 pandemic
UNHCR’s 2020 NGO Innovation Awards honour the role of refugee-led organizations in helping forcibly displaced and vulnerable people cope during the pandemic. By UNHCR Staff A refugee radio station combatting COVID-19 misinformation in Kenya and a local group...
Refugees help French wine makers fill labour shortages
A leading French wine maker joins forces with an association of former rugby professionals to offer seasonal jobs and training to refugees in the wine industry. By Céline Schmitt and Kate Thompson-Gorry in Pauillac, France When Zakaria arrived in France as a refugee...
Alphonso Davies becomes the first footballer to take UNHCR’s Goodwill Ambassador title
Davies is the first footballer and first Canadian to become a Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today announced the appointment of Alphonso Davies, FC Bayern Munich’s left-back and player for Canada Men’s National Football Team, as...