UNHCR welcomes move by Thailand to grant citizenship to boys and coach rescued from cave
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the move by the Royal Thai Government to grant citizenship to three boys and their football coach, who were recently rescued from a cave in Chiang Rai in an extraordinary operation led by Thai authorities. “By providing these boys and their coach with citizenship, […]
UNHCR sounds alarm as Mediterranean Sea deaths pass 1,500 mark
More than 1,500 refugees and migrants have lost their lives attempting to cross the Mediterranean in the first seven months of this year. The bleak milestone was confirmed after more than 850 lives were lost in June and July alone, marking the Mediterranean crossing as the deadliest sea route in […]
UNHCR appeals for safe passage for civilians in southern Syria, says international standards on refugee returns essential
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, urges all parties in Syria to protect and provide safe passage to civilians displaced by the […]
UNHCR welcomes end to latest Mediterranean standoff, but says predictable approach to rescue still urgently needed
Ελληνικά UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the actions of the past days by several European countries to collectively end a standoff on the Mediterranean involving some 450 refugees and migrants who had been stranded at sea amid a battle over disembarkation. Since Saturday the governments of France, Germany, Italy, […]
Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on the situation in South West Syria
I am gravely concerned for the civilian population caught in the crossfire in South West Syria, including airstrikes and heavy shelling. An estimated 750,000 lives are in danger. More than 320,000 people are now displaced and most are living in dire and insecure conditions, including some 60,000 people camped at […]
Refugee and migrant flows through Libya on the rise – report
UNHCR study finds the North African country is by far the preferred jumping off point for refugees and migrants hoping to reach Europe, yet it is particularly unsafe.