Mediterranean death toll soars, 2016 is deadliest year yet
With two months still to go in 2016, deaths of refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean hit all-time high. GENEVA – With two months still to go, deaths of refugees and migrants crossing the ...
Fights for lifejackets as boat capsized off Egypt
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt – As a fishing trawler packed with hundreds of people flipped and sank off the coast of Egypt last week, Somali Abshiro* suddenly found herself in the water as those drowning clawed ...
Talk, or the water will break your heart
Volunteers for 2016 Nansen Refugee Award winners Hellenic Rescue Team share their experience of a traumatic year. LESVOS, Greece – At a small tavern overlooking the coastline of Lesvos, Panagiotis Konstantaras and Antigoni Piperaki are taking ...
Mobile connectivity a lifeline for refugees, report finds
New study by UNHCR and Accenture finds mobile phone and internet access is as critical to refugees’ safety and security as food, shelter and water. GENEVA – As well as being essential for keeping ...
Refugee deaths in the Mediterranean have soared
GENEVA – A year ago today a photograph of Syrian toddler Alan Kurdi’s small body washed up on a Turkish beach drew the world’s attention to the shocking danger and unfathomable loss experienced by ...
Hellenic Rescue Team lands 2016 Nansen Award
The Hellenic Rescue Team’s (HRT) tireless efforts to rescue refugees across the Greek islands have earned the recognition they deserve, after the organization was named as one of two winners of UNHCR’s 2016 Nansen ...
Winners of the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award Announced
Konstantinos Mitragas on behalf of the Hellenic Rescue Team (HRT) and Efi Latsoudi, the human rights activist behind “PIKPA village” on the Greek island of Lesvos, are joint winners of UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award ...
Hundreds suffer at Hungary-Serbia border
RÖSZKE, Hungary – Sayed Parwez Ahmadi looks concerned as he puts another twig on the fire burning in front of their family tent in the makeshift camp near Röszke on the Hungary-Serbia border. His wife, ...