UNHCR welcomes first Syrian refugee arrivals in Canada
GENEVA, Dec 11 (UNHCR) – The UN Refugee Agency has welcomed news of the arrival in Canada last night of the first group of Syrian refugees under a recently announced humanitarian programme. The programme will provide a new life in Canada for 25,000 Syrian refugees,...
Human Rights Day: Abuses rife in Central African Republic
BANGUI, Central African Republic, Dec 10 (UNHCR)—Three years after the start of the current wave of violence and persecution in Central African Republic, insecurity and human rights abuses remain rife, with minorities at particular risk. Based on UNHCR monitoring, an...
Don’t give terror groups propaganda says Guterres
GENEVA, Dec 10, (UNHCR)—The head of the UN Refugee Agency António Guterres has warned that anti-Muslim rhetoric, including pressure for tighter border controls, could backfire and play into the hands of terror groups. “What you are saying (with this) is the best...
Refugee and sexual violence survivor restores hope in Rwanda
KIGALI, Rwanda, Dec 7 (UNHCR)—Jacqueline Umutesi had a traumatic childhood. But that hasn’t stopped the 37-year-old refugee from helping to heal others as one of Rwanda’s most outspoken community organisers fighting sexual and gender based violence (SGBV)....
Bay of Bengal boat flow manageable with regional cooperation—UNHCR
BANGKOK, Thailand, Dec 4 (UNHCR)—As the resumption of dangerous sea journeys in the Bay of Bengal looms, countries in the region today affirmed that the only way to reduce loss of life at sea is by working together on comprehensive and sustainable approaches to manage...
Thousands flee South Sudan fighting to Democratic Republic of the Congo
GENEVA, Dec 4 (UNHCR)—Recent fighting between local armed groups and the South Sudan army in the country’s Western Equatoria region has forced over 4,000 people to flee into a remote corner of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN Refugee Agency...
Wounded Syrian refugee inspires others through outreach work
TRIPOLI, Lebanon, Dec 3 (UNHCR)—Each morning, Ahmad sets off on his moped from his home near the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on his way to work as a UNHCR refugee outreach volunteer, offering support and assistance to vulnerable Syrian refugees and Lebanese...
Thousands of stateless people given nationality in Thailand
GENEVA, Dec 1 (UNHCR)—The UN Refugee Agency has welcomed an announcement by the Royal Thai Government that more than 18,000 stateless people have been granted nationality in Thailand in the last three years. The move marks an important further step in the global...