UNHCR’s Salih praises His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s vision for peace and welcomes Italy’s commitment to international cooperation
ROME – On his first official visit to the Holy See and Italy, the new United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih praised His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s vision for working towards global peace and recognized Italy’s contribution to humanitarian values and...
Despite funding cuts, UNHCR responded to multiple complex emergencies last year
GENEVA – Even as severe funding cuts put further pressure on humanitarian resources, UNHCR responded last year to a range of highly complex new emergencies as well as intensifying protracted crises that forced millions of people from their homes, according to UNHCR’s...
In Chad, UNHCR’s Salih calls for urgent refugee support to save and rebuild lives
N’DJAMENA – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, today underscored the need for urgent humanitarian assistance and protection for people fleeing the brutal war in Sudan, and for greater support for refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity....
In Kenya, UNHCR’s Salih urges greater solidarity and solutions for refugees
NAIROBI – On his first official visit as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih today called for stronger global support to develop the solutions refugees need to rebuild their lives. Speaking in Nairobi after visiting Kakuma municipality in...
UNHCR: ‘We hope Canada continues to be a champion for fast, fair, and efficient asylum’
On November 18, 2025, UNHCR Canada was invited to appear before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) as part of its study of Bill C-12. Azadeh Tamjeedi, UNHCR Canada senior legal officer, presented on behalf of UNHCR. Video of...
UNHCR: Escalating violence in eastern DR Congo deepens humanitarian crisis in Burundi
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR’s Representative in Burundi, Brigitte Mukanga-Eno – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. GENEVA – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply alarmed by the...Statement by Dr. Barham Salih upon His Election as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
I am honoured to have been elected as the incoming United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. As a former refugee, I know first-hand how protection and opportunity can change the course of a life. That experience will inform a leadership approach grounded in...
Grandi welcomes election of Barham Salih as UN High Commissioner for Refugees
GENEVA – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi today welcomed the election by the General Assembly in New York of former President of Iraq Barham Salih as his successor to lead UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. The incoming High Commissioner was...