Migrants and Refugees

Thousands of Rohingya refugees are living in Hakimpara refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.
OCHA/Vincent Tremeau

Greater progress needed to ensure safe return of displaced Rohingya: UN refugee agency chief

3 March 2020

UN agencies together with the Bangladesh authorities have appealed for $877 million to support hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, where conditions are still not conducive for their safe return, UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi said on Tuesday.

A Syrian father stands with his children at Bardarash camp in Duhok, Iraq, a day after arriving.
© UNHCR/Hossein Fatemi

Refugee resettlement: ‘Tremendous gap’ persists between needs, and spaces on offer

5 February 2020

Although around 1.4 million refugees are estimated to be in urgent need of resettlement worldwide, only 63,696 were resettled through the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) last year - that's only 4.5 per cent  -  due to a continuing shortage of offers of sanctuary from governments across the world.   

A boy plays in a UNICEF-supported shelter in Tijuana, Mexico, where migrant children from Mexico and Central America are provided psychosocial support. (June 2019)
© UNICEF/Balam-ha Carrillo

2019: A deadly year for migrants crossing the Americas

28 January 2020
Americas

More than 800 people died last year crossing deserts, rivers and remote lands while migrating across the Americas, making 2019 one of deadliest years on record, the UN migration agency said on Tuesday.

A quick smile from one of the 183 refugees resettled, originating in Sudan and the Central African Republic, prepares for his new life in France.
IOM

Protecting refugees in Europe: UNHCR calls for a ‘year of change’

9 January 2020

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) is calling on the European Union (EU) to make 2020 “the year of change for robust refugee protection”. On Thursday, the agency issued a set of new recommendations, as Croatia and German preside over the EU Council during the next 12 months.

A family is trying to build a new life in Chile after migrating from Vargas State, Venezuela.
©UNHCR/Santiago Escobar-Jarami

Bring global migration compact ‘to life’, urges UN chief

18 December 2019
Global

As “policies shaped more by fear than fact” have caused untold suffering to migrants, the UN Secretary-General is urging countries to realize the goals of a global agreement that promotes enhanced international cooperation on migration.  

The Global Refugee Forum is getting underway in Geneva, Switzerland.
©UNHCR/Mark Henley

Monday’s Daily Brief: anti-corruption conference, refugees’ summit, food extremes, Yemen aid

16 December 2019

Our top stories for Monday include: major international conference on anti-corruption underway; first ever Global Refugee Forum kicks off; global undernutrition and obesity crisis laid bare; food aid in Yemen; the power of youth to end hunger. 

A young boy rides his bicycle inside the Kara Tepe accommodation site, on the Greek island of Lesvos.
© UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

Bold, innovative measures for refugees and their hosts sought, at first ever Global Forum

16 December 2019

As refugee numbers approach 26 million, heads of state, top UN diplomats, powerful figures from the private sector and civil society are heading to Geneva to agree on “bold, new” ways to help, at the first ever Global Refugee Forum, which got underway on Monday.

The UN Refugee Agency has welcomed Brazil's decision to recognize thousands of Venezuelans as refugees.
©UNHCR/Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo

UN agency hails Brazil ‘milestone’ decision over Venezuelan refugees

6 December 2019

Brazil’s move to recognize thousands of refugees from crisis-wracked Venezuela through a new accelerated procedure, has been welcomed by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. 

The Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital at Motootua provides the people of Samoa with numerous health services and facilities, including the Youth Friendly Center.
© UNICEF/Sa'o Mulivai

Thursday’s Daily Brief: Samoa measles epidemic, Dozens die off Mauritania, Volunteer Day and Zambia’s food troubles

5 December 2019
Global

A recap of Thursday’s top stories: Dozens of migrants drowned off Mauritanian coast; measles grip Samoa as social media campaigns spread misinformation worldwide; UN chief on lifting landlocked countries from poverty; Guterres lauds volunteer spirit and millions face food insecurity in Zambia.

Ten-year old Jimmy (right), one of millions of Venezuelan fleeing the country, waits in the migration center queue to get his official papers to enter Ecuador, where his sister is waiting for him. (2019)
© UNICEF/Santiago Arcos

270 million people are migrants, who send home a staggering $689 billion

27 November 2019

The number of international migrants in 2019 is now estimated at 270 million and the top destination remains the United States, at nearly 51 million, the UN migration agency said on Wednesday.