Conflict and heavy floods force tens of thousands of people to flee their homes in Somalia, amidst COVID-19 threat
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Charlie Yaxley – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Heavy flooding, conflict, a crippled economy, impending desert locust swarms and the...
UN issues US$6.7 billion appeal to protect millions of lives and stem the spread of coronavirus in fragile countries
The UN’s Humanitarian Chief, Mark Lowcock, has called for swift and determined action to avoid the most destabilizing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as he releases a US$6.7 billion appeal and an updated global plan to fight coronavirus in fragile countries. COVID-19...
Joint statement by UNHCR, IOM and UNODC on protection at sea in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea
Five years on from the 2015 ‘boat crisis’ in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, in which thousands of refugees and migrants in distress at sea were denied life-saving care and support, we are alarmed that a similar tragedy may be unfolding once more. We are deeply...
Sudan’s internally displaced yearn for real peace to go home
About 1.6 million people are displaced, nearly two decades after Sudan’s war in Darfur started. They long to return home and rebuild but need lasting peace. By Catherine Wachiaya in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, Sudan Nearly two decades after conflict in Sudan’s Darfur...
Burkina Faso: UNHCR condemns violence against Malian refugees
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency condemns violence against Malian refugees, reportedly by the country’s security forces on May 2, housed in the Mentao refugee camp during which at least 32 people were injured, some seriously. The camp is located in Burkina Faso’s volatile...
Displaced people urgently need aid and access to social safety nets as coronavirus causes severe hardship
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. The COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented social and economic impact globally....
Malian refugees in Niger make face covers to prevent the coronavirus spread
In Niger, UNHCR-trained artisans and dressmakers stitch up to 40 washable and stylish face covers per day to protect wearers and those around them. By Marlies Cardoen NIAMEY, Niger – Like many Tuareg women, Fatima, 43, learned years ago how to embroider from her...
Refugees across Arab world feel economic pain of coronavirus
As COVID-19 restrictions ravage livelihoods in the global economy, refugees and displaced people in Middle East and North Africa are among the hardest hit. By UNHCR staff Two months ago, life was finally looking up for 33-year-old Mousab, a Syrian refugee living in...