Press Release Archives & Collections

UNHCR calls for stronger EU action on refugees

Dec 5, 2016 | News Releases, Press Release

In a paper presented to the European Union (EU) today, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, called for a far-reaching reform of Europe’s global engagement with refugees, including the European asylum system. UNHCR called on Europe to offer more strategic and targeted support...

UNHCR welcomes Canada’s support at Summit

Sep 23, 2016 | News Releases, Press Release

UNHCR Representative in Canada, Johannes van der Klaauw, praised Canada for its very active engagement at both the General Assembly and Leader’s Summit in New York last week. “I would like to express UNHCR’s profound appreciation to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau...

Canada, UNHCR and Open Society Foundations seek to increase refugee resettlement

Sep 22, 2016 | Press Release

UNITED NATIONS/NEW YORK CITY, September 19, 2016 – The Government of Canada, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Open Society Foundations have agreed to launch a joint initiative aimed at increasing private sponsorship of refugees around the...

UNHCR calls on EU states to increase pledges

Sep 16, 2016 | Press Release

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...

With 1 human in every 113 affected, forced displacement hits record high

Jun 20, 2016 | Press Release

Conflict and persecution caused global forced displacement to escalate sharply in 2015, reaching the highest level ever recorded and representing immense human suffering, according to a report released today by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR’s annual Global...

Statement by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on World Refugee Day 2016

Jun 20, 2016 | Press Release

UNHCR marks World Refugee Day each year on June 20, to shine a light on the courage and resilience of families forced to flee war or persecution. And each year UNHCR seeks to find a glimmer of hope in the global statistics we publish to show that the world is finding...

Canadians prepare to mark World Refugee Day

Jun 17, 2016 | Press Release

OTTAWA, 17 June 2016 – On June 20, World Refugee Day, Canadians will join people around the world to highlight the courage and perseverance shown by refugees in overcoming enormous odds to rebuild their lives. This year, World Refugee Day has a special meaning,...

Global celebrities join campaign calling on governments to take action for refugees

Jun 17, 2016 | Press Release

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today launched a major campaign that asks the world to stand together #WithRefugees. In a stunning video message more than 60 global celebrities join with refugees and aid workers to echo the message, “we stand with refugees, please stand...

UNHCR warns of worsening shelter conditions for refugees, launches global campaign

May 18, 2016 | Press Release

Geneva, 18 May 2016 – A huge shortfall in funds for sheltering refugees is severely undermining efforts to tackle the biggest global displacement crisis since World War II, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, warned today. At the launch today of a new global campaign,...

UNHCR welcomes Morneau Shepell’s renewed partnership to educate and empower refugee girls in Kakuma Camp

Apr 25, 2016 | Press Release

OTTAWA, April 25, 2016 – UNHCR welcomes Morneau Shepell’s renewed commitment to provide secondary education to refugee girls in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. Morneau Shepell, UNHCR’s largest corporate donor in Canada, announced today a contribution in...