Latest news with #UNHCR
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- General
- Indian Express
As Palkhis enter Pune, refugees perform Fugdi to mark World Refugee Day
Refugees from different countries residing in India celebrated World Refugee Day by performing fugdi dance, a traditional folk dance from Maharashtra, at Aga Khan Palace in Pune. They performed the dance as part of a programme organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday. About 30 refugees from countries like Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iran, Yemen, gathered in Pune for the World Refugee Day event, held every year by the UNHCR on June 20, to honour refugees. 'We come from different countries. But we are a family,' said UNHCR project co-ordinator Jayant Patil. The refugees then shared their hobbies, danced and displayed their skills from singing to martial arts, while promoting peace and humanity. As the Palkhi processions were underway in Pune too, Patil talked about it with the refugees. He described how during Palkhis, people call each other mauli, which means mother, and perform fugdi, where he joined in with them on the dance. Palkhi procession is a major spiritual event in Maharashtra when Warkaris of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj accompany the palanquin carrying the paduka (sacred footwear) of the revered saints to Pandharpur in Solapur district on foot. At the event in Aga Khan Palace, the refugees also shared their experiences and problems. Aga Khan Palace houses the headquarters of Gandhi National Memorial Society (GNMS), which is a key partner of UNHCR in supporting refugees. A gymnastics and yoga professional from Ukraine said, 'In India, a person from Ukraine and Russia can be together peacefully. We are humans first.' Speaking to The Indian Express, he said he has been residing in Goa as a refugee for the last few months. A woman from Afghanistan, residing with her daughters as refugees in Pune said, 'I came to India with my daughter on a tourist visa in 2019. Soon, Covid started. We were stuck in India, our visa expired. Then the Taliban regime started in Afghanistan in 2021, where women have no rights. I was a teacher in Afghanistan. I cannot go back as there is a threat to my life. I manage to survive in India, but face severe financial problems.' A professor from Yemen said, 'We are refugees. But we are fighters. Let us not stop fighting.' A doctor from Afghanistan, who performed a Hindi song Zindagi Pyaar Ka Geet Hai, said he is highly qualified and even studied on a scholarship at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) Pune. He too asaid he could not go back due to threats to his life. His mother and he have been refugees in India for the last few years and are trying to resettle in a third country. Anisha Acharya, UNHCR's assistant project officer in Pune said, 'Refugees from about 27 countries are residing in Maharashtra and Goa. We try to help them in the best possible ways.' Chandan Haygunde is an assistant editor with The Indian Express with 15 + years of experience in covering issues related to Crime, Courts, National Security and Human Rights. He has been associated with The Indian Express since 2007. Chandan has done investigative reporting on incidents of terrorism, left wing extremism, espionage cases, wildlife crimes, narcotics racket, cyber crimes and sensational murder cases in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. While working on the 'Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Fellowship on Tigers, Tiger Habitats and Conservation' in 2012, he reported extensively on the illegal activities in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. He has done in-depth reporting on the cases related to the Koregaon Bhima violence in Pune and hearings of the 'Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry'. ... Read More
News24
5 hours ago
- Politics
- News24
UNHCR reports record displacement in West and Central Africa
About 12.7 million forcibly displaced and stateless people are in West and Central Africa, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). This figure reflects a 48% increase since 2020, when the number was 8.6 million, underscoring a worsening forced displacement crisis. 'From conflict to climate shocks, protection risks are rising - particularly for women and children, who represent 80% of the forcibly displaced,' said Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, the UNHCR's regional bureau director for West and Central Africa. Gnon-Konde said the UN's data also showed that displaced people are 'returning home in increasing numbers where conditions allow'. Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Cameroon are home to more than 80% of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region. Drought, flooding, and chronic violence and insecurity have forced people to seek shelter in other regions within their countries. READ | Does SA have twice as many illegal migrants as Europe? Fact-checking Gayton McKenzie's latest claims According to the United Nations, over one million citizens of the Central African Republic (CAR) were forcibly displaced as of 30 April 2025. That figure, however, is 150 000 fewer than the same period in 2024. The slight improvement is attributed to an increase in voluntary returns. UN-sponsored voluntary returns Chad is providing refuge to almost 780 000 people who have fled Sudan's civil war, with another 250 000 expected to arrive by the end of the year. The country also hosts large numbers of refugees from the Central African Republic to the south and Niger to the west. Each group of displaced people faces unique dangers, and Chad is struggling to host all of them. The United Nations has been sponsoring voluntary returns to countries of origin within West Africa. It said 14 600 refugees returned to countries such as Nigeria, the Central African Republic and Mali from January through April 2025. 'Humanitarian crises are, first of all, political crises,' Alpha Seydi Ba, a UNHCR spokesperson based in Dakar, Senegal, told DW. Unless we are able to make peace, there won't be a situation where the returns are possible. Alpha Seydi Ba Ba said repatriations were carried out whenever and wherever possible and on a voluntary basis. As a result, the UNHCR says resettlement departures rose by 34% in 2024 (4 600 individuals), marking an increase of 1 500 people in the past year. 'I think it's always good news when people are able to go back home,' Ba said. 'Exile, it's not a choice. Being a refugee is not a choice, when someone leaves their home and everything behind.' 'We're seeing those people returning and rebuilding,' Ba said. 'I think it's one of the best things that can happen to the humanitarian person in his career.' 'Migrants become stranded' Although repatriation efforts have yielded some positive results, the UN's regional resettlement quota was reduced by 64% in 2025. To complicate matters, the UNHCR's regional budget overall has been reduced by 50% between 2024 and 2025. 'Our operations are very severely impacted,' Ba said. 'Meaning less food, less shelter, less health care, less clean water, less gender-based protection, which makes overall protection systems or displaced people more fragile,' Ba added. 'That's why the UNHCR in the region is at a tipping point.' 'The number of migrants, be it internally displaced people or migrants, is increasing,' Luisa de Freitas, who leads the Regional Data Hub in Dakar for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), told DW. 'We are seeing that, overall, more and more people are on the move.' Ben Stansall/AFP Though many people move to foreign countries because of climate disasters, armed conflict or instability, the IOM reports that economic needs are also a key driver of migration. 'Over 70% to 72% of the individuals that we survey at our flow monitoring points in 2024 were there because of labour or economic reasons,' de Freitas said. De Freitas said migration routes had become increasingly dangerous as EU nations and their partners within Africa have sought to stem the flow of migration to Europe. However, this has not deterred migrants from attempting to do so. 'People move when they feel they have no other option,' de Freitas said. 'They will take routes that are less and less travelled. So what is happening is that a lot of these migrants become stranded.' New strategies needed Simply putting up barriers or investing in forced removals of migrants is not the solution. Instead, de Freitas advised European nations to adopt a different approach that fosters and incentivises regular migration, benefiting both home and destination countries. Mohamed Elshahed/Anadolu via Getty Images 'Spain has just launched two initiatives: One to regularise migrants per year, and they've also launched system where Senegalese can apply for temporary travel visas to go and work in Spain,' de Freitas said. Many EU countries desperately need workers in sectors such as agriculture, she added. 'Circular migration allows migration on a temporary basis to address labour shortages in destination countries, while providing migrants with access to employment and education opportunities. 'Basically, try to make migration a win-win situation for both ends,' de Freitas said.
Daily Maverick
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
African refugees bear the brunt of shifting global politics
On World Refugee Day, displaced Africans face the worst conditions yet as conflict and disasters increase, aid plummets and borders tighten. The number of displaced Africans has doubled since 2018. For the 14th consecutive year, conflict and climate change have driven record numbers of people from their homes. Changes in national priorities, economic uncertainty and donor fatigue have seen political attention turn inward, surges in defence spending and corresponding aid cuts, the shuttering of refugee resettlement programmes, and tighter border security. African refugees bear the brunt of these changes. Those already in dire situations now face even bigger threats to their survival. Last week, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) released its annual Global Trends report. At the end of 2024, 123.2 million people were displaced — up by seven million in one year. Most displaced Africans remain in their home countries or neighbouring countries, many of which are also resource-poor and suffer from conflict. The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Africa has tripled since 2015, reaching 35.4 million in 2024. Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) comprised almost half (45%) of all conflict-driven internal displacements worldwide in 2024. Sudan is the world's largest displacement and humanitarian crisis. The civil war has driven 14.4 million people from their homes and left two-thirds of the population requiring humanitarian aid. Most (11.6 million) are internally displaced (see graph), and 2.8 million are across borders. At the end of 2024, conflict in eastern DRC had created 1.22 million refugees and asylum seekers, and 6.9 million IDPs. As of April 2025, the UNHCR reported a 1% drop in total refugees worldwide for the first time in a decade. In 2024, 1.6 million people returned to their home countries — mainly Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Many returned to poor conditions after giving up trying to access rights and services in host countries. South Sudan was the only African country to see significant returns. Going home is not viable for most refugees on the continent due to the protracted nature of conflicts. Many end up spending their lives in severely underfunded camps, unable to work, study or move freely. Funding cuts will worsen their prospects. The Norwegian Refugee Council issues an annual list of the top 10 most neglected displacement crises globally. Eight in 2025 are in Africa: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Mali, Uganda, DRC and Somalia. Cameroon 'most neglected' crisis The council rated Cameroon the world's most neglected crisis, assigning a zero out of 30 rating for political will and 'negligible' media coverage. Cameroon hosts people fleeing internal conflicts and violence in the Lake Chad Basin and Central African Republic. It hosts 1.1 million IDPs, 480,000 refugees, and has 2.8 million people facing acute food security. Most marginal gains in refugee resettlement numbers over the past three years were due to the US. The country raised its resettlement ceiling to 125,000 refugees per year during former president Joe Biden's last three years in office. Although it fell short of the ceiling each year, in 2024 the US resettled 100,034 refugees, the highest number in three decades. At the start of his second term, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing a near-full halt on foreign aid and the Refugee Admissions Program, followed by a halt on activities supporting refugees. Reports also indicate Trump is diverting US$250-million from foreign aid budgets towards repatriating foreigners, often without due process and at times, against court orders. The US recently implemented a travel ban that disproportionately affects Africans, including full bans on people from Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and Sudan, and partial bans on those from Burundi, Sierra Leone and Togo. While the US has made the harshest changes, the UK reduced development assistance by 40%, and several European countries announced their own reductions. The European Union (EU) redirected some of its development budget to Ukraine and border management. Historically, official development aid has always been dwarfed by military spending (see graph). European countries and the EU are also reorienting their migration policies away from humanitarian support and legal pathways to increasing securitisation measures to reduce flows and pressuring governments to accept returns. No 'safe' third country Under the Pact on Migration and Asylum, set to take effect in 2026, the European Commission will remove the requirement for a connection between a migrant and a 'safe third country'. Migrants can then be sent to any country deemed 'safe' — even if they have no connection to that country. The pact also allows for rapid asylum processing for people from countries deemed safe, and for their detention. Before the major slashes, global refugee funding gaps already reached $24-billion in 2024. Funding for humanitarian food aid is projected to drop by up to 45%, and most forcibly displaced people are in areas experiencing food crises. The concomitant reductions in development aid will reduce host country governments' fiscal capabilities to support refugees. Remittances are the most resilient forms of aid and are pivotal to development. They comprise the largest financial flow to Africa and have proven countercyclical, meaning they often go up when markets go down or experience a shock. In another step ostensibly to counter irregular migration, a 3.5% tax on remittances is included in the US's One Big Beautiful Bill that would directly impact development in Africa if enacted. The sum total of these conditions is catastrophic for African refugees and IDPs. Many people are exposed to harm, with fewer protections and almost no development prospects. Programmes such as education, psychosocial support and healthcare are cut first because they are not life-saving. Many African countries that already resist or are outright hostile to refugees will be more likely to shut borders and demolish camps if they think the world is no longer paying attention or has set a double standard. In some circumstances, these conditions will drive onward migration and push people towards illegality. DM
Egypt Today
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt hosts 10 million refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants from 62 nationalities
A ship and remains of illegal migrants - CC via pxfuel CAIRO – 20 June 2025: On World Refugee Day, commemorated annually on June 20, Egypt joins the international community in honoring the resilience of millions forced to flee their homes in search of safety and dignity. The day serves as a reminder of the global refugee crisis and a renewed call for solidarity with both displaced persons and the communities that host them. Egypt has long been a safe haven for individuals fleeing conflict, persecution, and hardship. Today, the country hosts more than 10 million refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants from 62 different nationalities. In 2024, Egypt ranked second globally in the number of asylum applications submitted. Egypt's approach to refugee protection is rooted in respect for human dignity. It guarantees refugees and asylum seekers freedom of movement, access to basic services, and opportunities for integration—on par with Egyptian citizens. This inclusive policy reflects Egypt's continued commitment to its international obligations and humanitarian principles. Against a backdrop of worsening global crises and military escalations—particularly in the Middle East—Egypt emphasizes that international cooperation remains the only viable path to effectively and sustainably address refugee challenges. The growing scale and complexity of displacement underscore the need for equitable burden and responsibility sharing. In December 2024, Egypt became the first country in North Africa to adopt a dedicated legal framework on asylum by enacting the Foreign Asylum Law. On this occasion, Egypt reiterates the urgent need to mobilize international resources to support host countries in maintaining and enhancing the services provided to both refugees and their host communities. Furthermore, Egypt stresses the importance of a comprehensive approach to refugee issues—one that integrates humanitarian response with long-term development strategies to bolster the resilience of host communities. This must be accompanied by efforts to address the root causes of displacement through peace-building and conflict resolution initiatives, helping to create the conditions necessary for the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of refugees. Egypt reaffirms its commitment to continued cooperation with international organizations, especially the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and to advancing its efforts at regional and international levels in support of peace, development, and the protection of displaced populations.
Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
'They don't need our pity': Creators share refugee stories, call for dignity over aid
At a refugee camp in Lebanon, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Karen Wazen met a young girl whose image has stayed with her ever since. No older than five, the child was caring for her toddler sister, tying her shoes, running after her, and keeping her safe with a sense of responsibility far beyond her age. 'I remember thinking, I'm a grown woman with every privilege, and I still wonder if I'm getting motherhood right,' Wazen said. 'And there she was, doing it all, with nothing.' The Lebanese content creator has spent nearly eight years working with refugee communities in Lebanon and Kenya. What began as an effort to lend support, she said, turned into a deeply personal transformation. 'I thought I was going to help them. I didn't realise they would be the ones changing me.' As the world marked World Refugee Day on June 20, Wazen's reflection offered more than just a moment of solidarity; it served as a reminder of the individuals behind the numbers. More than 120 million people are currently displaced globally, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the highest number ever recorded. Countries across the Middle East and Africa continue to bear a significant share of this responsibility, including Lebanon, Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen. This year, a campaign titled Creators for Purpose was launched in partnership between Meta, UNHCR, and Creators HQ to draw attention to refugee experiences through digital storytelling. The campaign aims to raise both awareness and funds. 'People want to give back, now more than ever,' said Mon Baz, Director of Global Partnerships at Meta for Africa, the Middle East and Turkey. 'When creators share real stories with empathy, it cuts through the noise. It reminds people that behind the word 'refugee' is someone just like them.' The initiative focuses on humanitarian emergencies in countries such as Syria, Sudan, Yemen, and among the Rohingya population, with funds directed toward cash assistance, relief items, and services like education, protection, and psychosocial support. Between surviving and living The campaign also reinforces a shift in how refugee needs are understood, not just in terms of survival, but in terms of dignity. In a statement, Alya Al Musaiebi, Director of The Big Heart Foundation, noted that needs evolve depending on context. 'In refugee communities, needs multiply in proportion to loss, of home, of safety, of control,' she stated. 'The need is not just to survive, but to feel alive.' Al Musaiebi called on the humanitarian sector to move beyond simply meeting basic needs. 'Without dignity, even food and medicine lose meaning. Aid must preserve self-respect and empower people as active participants in rebuilding their lives.' This philosophy is also reflected in Wazen's own approach to advocacy. 'When I first started, I felt something was missing in my platform,' she said. 'I was sharing fashion and lifestyle, but it felt empty. I realised that having a voice, having reach, comes with responsibility.' Cost of showing up Wazen, whose online following exceeds eight million, admits that regularly engaging with humanitarian causes also comes at a personal cost. 'There are days I ask myself: what does this even mean? I post a story, and people are dying somewhere else. What am I doing?' she said. 'But I remind myself that we all need balance. Even bringing a smile to someone's face is a kind of solidarity. That too has value.' Al Musaiebi echoed that sentiment, stating: 'Genuine solidarity is not measured solely by what we provide, but by what we help keep alive within the individual, passion, dignity, and the ability to dream.' As the campaign gains traction, Wazen hopes it will help shift public perception of refugees away from passive recipients of aid. 'They don't need our pity,' she said. 'They need us to see them.' The message, repeated by advocates and campaign organisers alike, is clear: refugees are not a 'special case.' They are individuals whose needs mirror our own, security, belonging, opportunity, and whose futures must be shaped by dignity, not dependency. As Al Musaiebi put it: 'When dignity is restored, aid becomes partnership. Shelter becomes a home. The refugee becomes the architect of their future.'
