UNHCR warns of “looming refugee crisis” in the Americas
Oct 28 (UNHCR)—In late 2014, four members of a brutal street gang abducted Norma and took her to a cemetery nearby her home in El Salvador. Three of the four then raped her. She believes she was targeted because she was married to a police officer. “They took...UNHCR warns of looming refugee crisis as women flee Central America and Mexico
Washington, D.C., 28 October 2015 (UNHCR)—Women in Central America and Mexico are fleeing their countries in rising numbers to escape a surge in deadly, unchecked gang violence, fuelling a looming refugee crisis in the Americas that demands urgent and concerted action...
Refugees continue to reach Yemen by sea despite conflict
GENEVA, Oct 27 (UNHCR)—Almost 70,000 refugees, asylum-seekers, and migrants—primarily from Ethiopia and Somalia—have reached Yemen by sea so far this year, despite on-going conflict and a deepening humanitarian crisis there, the UN refugee agency said on Tuesday. The...
UNHCR flags winter relief operations for refugees
GENEVA, Oct 23 (UNHCR)—The UN refugee agency said today it had begun distributing raincoats, blankets and other relief items to tens of thousands of refugees buffeted by the first winter storms that have already struck many parts of Central and South Eastern Europe,...
UNHCR concerned at reports of sexual violence against refugee women and children
GENEVA, Oct 23 (UNHCR)—The UN refugee agency said today it was concerned by “credible testimonies” it has received of sexual violence and abuse against refugee and migrant women and children on the move in Europe and called on authorities to take steps to...
Fleeing gangs, Salvadoran tailors make new life in Mexico
TAPACHULA, Mexico, Oct 23 (UNHCR)—Alfonso*, his wife and their three children live in just one sweltering room in southern Mexico, the large sewing machine in the middle of the floor a reminder of the livelihood they left behind when they fled gang violence in El...
Iraqi national flees for second time as bombs rain on adopted home of Yemen
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Oct 22 (UNHCR)—When Husam and his wife Nemah decided to leave their home in Shar Khawlan Nuqum, Yemen last June, they did not hesitate for one moment. The country was a war zone. Bombs were falling from the air like rains of fire. They knew if...
Refugees face long cold and wet night at crowded Balkan border crossings
BERKASOVO, Serbia, Oct 21, (UNHCR)—It is 6 pm, and night is falling fast. Amr and his family huddle under a makeshift shelter, partially lit by a nearby fire, on a small hill near the Serbian-Croatian border. It is windy and cold—the temperature having fallen to...