UN Summit commits to protect refugee, migrant rights
NEW YORK – At a high-level UN Summit in New York today, the governments of 193 countries adopted key commitments to enhance protection for millions of people who have been forcibly displaced and are otherwise on the move around the world. Amidst record levels of...
UNHCR airlift to Uganda as thousands flee South Sudan
Thousands of refugees fleeing violence and human rights violations in South Sudan benefit from major aid operation with an airlift into Uganda. KAMPALA, Uganda – Thousands of refugees fleeing violence and human rights violations in South Sudan have begun to benefit...
Refugees chief & Pope Francis discuss refugee crisis
Filippo Grandi expressed deep appreciation for the Pope’s advocacy and efforts to bring attention to refugees and internally displaced people. ROME, Italy – Pope Francis discussed the plight of millions of forcibly displaced people around the world with UN High...
Refugee girls beat the odds with education in Kenya
Providing refugee children and adolescents with an education wherever they find safety is a core humanitarian service, yet many do not have the opportunity. Esther, 18, did not attend school from late 2008 through to early 2011. Constant insecurity in South Sudan’s...
Refugees fleeing South Sudan pass one million mark
With this milestone, South Sudan joins Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia as countries which have produced more than a million refugees. GENEVA – The number of South Sudanese refugees sheltering in neighbouring countries has this week passed the one million mark,...#WithRefugees petition heads to UN Secretary-General
With over 1.3 million signatures, the petition will be handed to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and General Assembly President Peter Thomson in New York. NEW YORK – We asked you to show solidarity with millions of refugees and more than 1.3 million of you have come...
UNHCR calls on EU states to increase pledges
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. One year ago, the European Union (EU) and Member States agreed on a two-year plan...
Mobile connectivity a lifeline for refugees, report finds
New study by UNHCR and Accenture finds mobile phone and internet access is as critical to refugees’ safety and security as food, shelter and water. GENEVA – As well as being essential for keeping in touch with loved ones, many refugees view access to a mobile phone...