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Colombian refugees find new routes to protection in Brazil
20 Sep 2006 More and more Colombians are arriving in Brazil after fleeing persecution and conflict in their homeland. They are arriving via more varied entry points and many are opting to stay in remote areas of the country, away from large urban concentrations of their compatriots. -
Centres bring affordable day care for refugee mothers in Costa Rica
25 Aug 2006 Many refugee women need to work to support themselves and their families, but a shortage of day care facilities restricts their chances of finding employment. In the Costa Rican capital of San José, UNHCR is addressing the problem by helping open day care centres run by refugee women and local mothers. -
UNHCR urges armed groups to leave Colombia's indigenous people alone
9 Aug 2006 UNHCR marked World Indigenous Day with a warning that armed conflict in Colombia threatens the existence of the country's indigenous people. The refugee agency called on all armed groups to keep the civilian population out of their fight. -
Little for Colombia's ethnic Awá to celebrate on World Indigenous Day
8 Aug 2006 On Wednesday, the United Nations will mark World Indigenous Day. In Colombia, where armed conflict is putting enormous pressure on the survival of indigenous culture, it will be a day of worried reflection for the more than 80 indigenous groups spread around the country. The latest violence has forced hundreds of the Awá indigenous people to flee their homes in the south-west. -
How photography has changed the life of a young Colombian refugee
3 Aug 2006 Fifteen-year-old José Romero was hooked on photography after taking a short course last year and the Colombian refugee's skill with the camera has already won him a major prize and public exposure in Mexico. -
More families flee unrest near Colombia's northern border with Panama
2 Aug 2006 The department of Chocó in northern Colombia has seen a marked increase in violence and forced displacement in recent weeks. The government has sent reinforcements to boost troop strength along the Atrato River, but families are too scared to return to their riverine communities near the border with Panama. -
UNHCR struggles to reach out to Colombian refugees in Ecuador
21 Jul 2006 The shifting of the Colombian conflict away from the cities and towards border regions is putting increasing pressure on neighbouring countries. Ecuador registers several hundred new Colombian asylum seekers every month, but they are only the tip of the iceberg. The biggest challenge facing UNHCR in Ecuador is to reach out to all those in need of protection in the country. -
World Cup fever puts soccer-crazy refugee in the Panama spotlight
6 Jul 2006 World Cup fever has put sportscaster Tomas Begazo firmly in the public spotlight in Panama. But it has been a tough 15-year journey getting there for the Peruvian refugee, whose love of football has helped him weather hard times and achieve success in his new home. -
Reaching out to Colombians in need of assistance in northern Ecuador
23 Jun 2006 The northern provinces of Ecuador are home to many Colombians who have crossed the border to escape violence in their homeland. Efforts by UNHCR and its partners to assist this population of concern are hampered by the high level of mobility of the refugees and the fact that many are too scared to come out of hiding and seek protection.