More than four million Syrians have now fled war and persecution
GENEVA, July 9 (UNHCR)—More than four million Syrians have now fled war and persecution and become refugees in neighbouring countries, making the Syrian conflict the UN refugee agency’s worst crisis for almost a quarter of a century. Latest figures from UNHCR...South Sudan: Ger Duany’s Independence Day message
On the occasion of South Sudan’s independence day, 9 July 2015, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ger Duany visits Sud Academy in Nairobi, Kenya where 250 children struggle to earn an education.UNHCR: Total number of Syrian refugees exceeds four million for first time
GENEVA (July 9, 2015) The number of refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria to neighbouring countries has now passed four million, confirming this crisis as the world’s single largest refugee crisis for almost a quarter of a century under UNHCR’s...
Mediterranean crisis sees former Vietnamese boat person break long silence
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 6 (UNHCR) – Harrowing images of the Mediterranean boat crisis has brought back “bitter sweet” memories for Anh Lê, one of Denmark’s most famous Vietnamese restaurateurs, who crossed oceans herself to arrive where she is...
UNHCR delivers relief to 56,000 people in Yemen in May and June
GENEVA, July 3 (UNHCR)—The UN refugee agency said on Friday (July 3) that it had managed to continue to deliver humanitarian aid to displaced people in Yemen in May and June despite severe restrictions on access. “We were able to get basic relief to 56,369...
The Sea Route to Europe
A large majority of the thousands of people who made dangerous sea journeys across the Mediterranean into Europe in the first six months of 2015 were fleeing war, conflict or persecution. This makes the current Mediterranean crisis primarily a refugee crisis,...
2014 becomes the deadliest year at sea off Yemen
There’s been a sharp increase this year in the number of migrants and asylum seekers losing their lives in attempts to get to Yemen, mainly from the Horn of Africa, with more deaths in 2014 than in the last three years combined. In the latest tragic incident on...
Millions mark World Refugee Day at events across the globe
GENEVA, June 20 (UNHCR)—Across the world millions marked World Refugee Day on Saturday with joyful and celebratory events in sharp contrast to gloomy statistics showing spiraling global conflict and persecution have led to record numbers of people fleeing their homes....