Refugee News - Latest Updates, Headlines & Analysis

2024 sees record migrant deaths, IOM reports

Geneva, March 22: The year 2024 witnessed a record-breaking number of migrant deaths, with at least 8,938 lives lost globally, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency.

Pak authorities clueless as deadline for mass deportation of Afghan refugees approaches

Islamabad, March 21: The Pakistan government has not set any guidelines as the deadline for the mass repatriation of Afghan refugees from the country is just ten days away, leaving relevant departments clueless.

Israeli forces expand ground operation in Gaza as Hamas fires rockets at Israel

Jerusalem, March 21: The Israeli military said its troops were expanding their ground operation in southern Gaza, advancing into the Shabura refugee camp in Rafah city.

40 migrants missing, 10 rescued after shipwreck in Mediterranean

Rome, March 19: Up to 40 migrants are believed to have died after their boat capsized in rough seas in the central Mediterranean, while another 10 were rescued, Italian authorities and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Wednesday.

UN calls for protection of civilians amid rising tensions in South Sudan

Juba, March 18: A United Nations envoy on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in South Sudan's Nasir, Ulang and Baliet counties, which is affecting the local population and disrupting humanitarian operations.

Baloch woman illegally enters Rajasthan from Pak border, claims threat to life

Jaipur, March 17: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday detained a woman, claiming to be from Balochistan, who illegally crossed the India-Pakistan border and entered Rajasthan.

Hundreds of Afghan refugees face forcible deportation from Pak, Iran

Kabul, March 16: As forced deportation and illegal detention of Afghan refugees continues, data reveals that Iran and Pakistan deported 674 Afghan migrant families between March 8 and March 14.

'Important to engage' with Arakan Army to fully respect Rohingya rights: Guterres

United Nations, March 16: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that it was “important to engage” with the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) to fully respect the rights of Rohingyas while finding a solution to the refugee crisis.

UN Chief Antonio Guterres thanks Bangladesh, calls for Rohingya aid

Dhaka, March 14: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh's interim government and its people, acknowledging their hospitality as he arrived for a four-day visit, the Daily Star reported.

'Myanmar refugees threatening security, razing resources': Mizoram activist tells HM Shah

Aizawl, March 12: A Mizoram social activist urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take urgent action on illegal entry of Myanmar refugees into the state, rising crime rate, smuggling of explosives and drugs, and fake documentation in the northeastern state.

Violence, displacements overwhelm healthcare system in Sudan's El-Fasher: UN

United Nations, March 12: Violence and waves of displacements have overwhelmed the fragile healthcare system in El-Fasher, the capital of Sudan's North Darfur state, UN humanitarians said.

Key donors' aid cuts catastrophic to humanitarian efforts in Sudan, UN warns

Khartoum, March 10: The United Nations (UN) warned on Monday of a catastrophic decline in global funding for Sudan, which is enduring a humanitarian crisis amid ongoing conflict.

Advocacy group raises concern over illegal arrest and detention of Afghan refugees in Pakistan

Kabul, March 7: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Refugees in Pakistan, an advocacy group based in Karachi and Islamabad working for the rights of Afghan Refugees, has claimed that at least 190 Afghan refugees have been illegally arrested and detained in the Pakistani capital and Rawalpindi.

No decision yet on 'revoking' legal status of Ukrainian refugees in US: Trump

Washington, March 7: The White House has not come to a decision yet regarding the legal status of 240,000 Ukrainian refugees currently living in the US, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Pakistani Hindu refugees who voted during Delhi polls, await government support, other facilities

By Anamika Tiwari, New Delhi, March 6: Many Pakistani Hindu refugees residing in Majnu Ka Tila have been granted Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019.

WFP warns of $412 million funding shortfall for South Sudan's humanitarian needs

Juba, March 5: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said that it faces a critical funding shortfall of $412 million to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of millions in crisis-hit South Sudan in 2025.

UN agency reports over 26 million IDPs, refugees in Horn of Africa

Nairobi, March 4: The Horn of Africa has some 26.3 million people living either as refugees or Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) disclosed in a report on Tuesday.

Human Rights group asks Pakistan to stop forced deportation of Afghan migrants

Kabul, March 2: A coalition of human rights organisations and refugee advocacy groups has asked Pakistan to immediately halt the forced deportation of Afghan migrants, according to some media reports.

Hundreds of Afghan refugees deported from Pakistan and Iran

Kabul, March 1: Around 613 Afghan migrant families returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran between February 21-28, local media in Kabul reported on Saturday.

Guterres to visit Bangladesh, meet Yunus, participate in Iftar with Rohingya refugees

United Nations, Feb 28: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Bangladesh next month to participate in an Iftar with Rohingya refugees in Cox Bazar, according to his Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.

Israeli Ambassador backs Trump's Gaza proposal, cites 'some gaps' with Biden administration

New Delhi, Feb 26: Citing examples from various conflict zones in Ukraine and Syria, Reuven Azar, the Ambassador of Israel to India, has backed US President Donald Trump's proposal to relocate Gaza's Palestinian population to neighbouring countries.

Pakistan intensifies crackdown on Afghan refugees, aims to repatriate 8 lakh cardholders

Islamabad, February 26: Pakistan has stepped up its efforts to repatriate legal Afghan refugees, with a focus on those holding Afghan Citizen Cards, reported ARY News.

Infant deaths due to cold wave in Gaza rises to six

Gaza, Feb 25: The number of infant deaths due to the ongoing cold wave in the Gaza Strip has risen to six, Palestinian medical sources reported.

UN Secretary General to visit Bangladesh amid tensions

Dhaka, February 26: The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is likely to visit Bangladesh in mid-March amid political tensions in the South Asian country, officials said.

Japan, UNHCR join hands to support displaced Afghans

Kabul, Feb 25: Japan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) signed a new agreement in Kabul, Afghanistan to support livelihoods and self-reliance for forcibly displaced and returned Afghans.

Over 454,000 Gazan children vaccinated against polio in 2 days: UNRWA

Gaza, Feb 25: The UN agency for Palestine refugees said that it has vaccinated more than 454,000 children against poliovirus in the Gaza Strip over the past two days.

Iran's detention of Afghan refugees adds to their hardship

Tehran, Feb 25: Iran launched another crackdown to detain Afghan migrants in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, citing security concerns, Iranian state media reported on Sunday.

UNHCR begins relocation of Congo refugees in Burundi

Kaburantwa, Burundi, Feb 24: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has begun the relocation of refugees fleeing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Burundi.

Israel orders military to prepare for yearlong West Bank presence as offensives escalate

Jerusalem, Feb 23: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Sunday ordered the military to prepare for a yearlong presence in refugee camps in the West Bank as Israel escalates the ongoing large-scale military campaign in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Pakistan threatens to deport Afghan refugees awaiting resettlement in US

Islamabad, Feb 23: Continuing its belligerent stance against Afghanistan, Pakistan threatened to deport thousands of Afghan nationals awaiting relocation and resettlement in the US back to their home country if their cases are rejected or not processed on time.

Trump suggests he's not 'forcing' Gaza takeover plan, but questions why Israel ever gave that up

Washington DC, February 22: After his earlier call of the Gaza Strip being depopulated and subsequently taken over by Israel drew a lot of flak globally, especially from the Arab nations, US President Donald Trump asserted that his plan was only a 'recommendation' and not an 'enforcement', The Jerusalem Post reported.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu orders immediate enforcement of UNRWA law

Tel Aviv, February 18: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday instructed the immediate enforcement of the UNRWA law, which was passed by the Knesset with broad support.

Humanitarian needs in Gaza overwhelming: UN

United Nations, Feb 18: The needs in Gaza, where the ceasefire is holding, are overwhelming, humanitarians said, adding that continuing Israeli operations in the West Bank are still producing casualties.

UN says 106.6 million USD urgently needed for Sudanese refugees in Libya

Tripoli, Feb 18: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced that $106.6 million are needed urgently to assist Sudanese refugees in Libya.

UN launches six billion-USD humanitarian appeal for Sudan

Khartoum, Feb 17: The United Nations (UN) has launched a $6 billion humanitarian appeal to assist nearly 26 million Sudanese affected by the ongoing conflict, both inside Sudan and in neighbouring countries, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced in a statement on Monday.

Libya releases 24 refugees from detention centre in Tripoli: UN

Tripoli, Feb 12: Libyan authorities released 24 refugees, including women and children, from a detention centre in Tripoli, UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency said.

270,000 Syrian refugees return since Assad's ouster, more expected: UNHCR official

Damascus, Feb 12: More than 270,000 Syrian refugees have returned since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024, with over a quarter of those still abroad expressing a desire to return in the coming months, said a senior official from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

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