Find out more in
Refugees
The International Organization for Migration () and the UN Refugee Agency () have launched a "train-to-hire" program for refugees in the Asia-Pacific region, funded by the Australian Government for an initial 22-month period. This initiative aims to enhance refugee skills and connect them with international job opportunities, addressing labor market gaps and promoting self-reliance. It seeks to strengthen collaboration among UN agencies and facilitate safe migration, leveraging refugees' skills to reduce reliance on irregular routes. Despite significant numbers of skilled refugees, barriers to employment remain, making this targeted training vital for aligning talent with labor needs.
has become the world’s first female Syrian commercial pilot from a refugee background, having officially received her “wings†to fly Boeing 737 jets as a second officer. Flight training is a demanding and competitive process, and only 5 per cent of the world’s pilots are women. Having arrived in the UK ten years ago, Ghazal taught herself English and graduated with a degree in aviation engineering, then completed a 19-month intensive cadet training programme. She advocates for safe legal routes and education for refugees.
Each year on June 20th, the world honors the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. With the number of forcibly displaced people at a record high and brutal aid funding cuts putting millions of lives at risk, it's crucial to raise our voices and show solidarity. This World Refugee Day, solidarity means not just words but actions —standing up for refugees' right to seek safety and finding solutions to their plight. Above all, it means clearly stating that refugees are not alone and we will not turn our backs.
Jassim, a 103-year-old Syrian, witnessed significant changes and suffered immense loss during the conflict in Syria, including the deaths of three of his children in 2013. He fled to Lebanon with his surviving family, living in harsh conditions as refugees. After nearly 14 years, the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024 allowed Jassim and his family to return to their village, Al-Nahryieh, in April. By May, over half a million Syrians had returned home, though they faced substantial challenges. The UN Refugee Agency () is providing support to assist returnees with housing, legal documents, and livelihood initiatives.
In the heart of , a football tournament organized by offers youth like Basheer a rare sense of connection, purpose, and hope amid hardship.
Today, over 60 million women and girls worldwide are either forcibly displaced or stateless. Many have fled from conflict, violence, and human rights abuses, yet they continue to live on the frontlines of crises, often separated from loved ones and exposed to greater risks of poverty, exploitation, and further violence. These women face significant obstacles as they strive to continue their education, secure employment, and access healthcare and other essential services. However, it’s important to recognize that they are more than just refugees or survivors of displacement; they are mothers, students, business owners, leaders, and skilled professionals. Given the opportunity, their knowledge and lived experiences can contribute valuable solutions to their communities. The UN Refugy Agency () is committed to ensuring that the voices of displaced women are included in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
Every dollar you give is providing emergency food and cash assistance to Palestine Refugee families. Your Zakat contribution directly supports eligible Palestine Refugees across our five fields of operation; Gaza, the West Bank including East Jerusalem, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.
reaches the families who need it most, providing them with immediate relief and a chance to live in dignity.
Aminata Soucko, a survivor of Female Genital Mutilation and abuse, founded Red Aminata to empower and support survivors.
Every week, thousands of refugees and migrants cross the Darién jungle in search of safety and a better life. In 2023, over 520,000 people, mainly from Venezuela, Ecuador, Haiti, and parts of Africa and South Asia, made the journey. Despite promises from smugglers and social media of an easy passage, migrants often spend four to ten days navigating difficult terrain, carrying their belongings and small children in intense heat before reaching temporary migratory reception centres. Surveys conducted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees () show that about 70% of those arriving in the Darién rely on social media for information, often downplaying the journey's risks. UNHCR’s ‘ initiative uses social media to share testimonies from refugees and migrants who have survived the crossing with others considering the journey.
was launched at the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) meeting in Geneva, building on the campaign to foster collaboration among stakeholders and address the urgent issue of statelessness worldwide.
How is the recent mpox outbreak impacting refugees and displaced people in Africa? The surge in mpox cases has raised concerns about its potentially devastating impact on people living in crowded camps. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ( is currently working with partners to contain the outbreak. To gain more insight into the situation, UNHCR interviewed Dr. Allen Maina, Chief of Public Health at the UN Refugee Agency, to understand what mpox is and how it is affecting refugees and other displaced people.
Guillaume Junior Atangana's historic third-place finish in the men’s 400m at the Paris Paralympics, exemplifies the resilience and triumph of the and the power of sport to inspire hope among refugees.
A week before the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Guillaume Junior Atangana and his guide and fellow refugee Donard Nyamjua received a surprise call from the President of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons. Junior, as many call him, was overjoyed and touched when the President informed him that he would be carrying the flag into the Opening Ceremony for the , accompanied by Donard. Sport, and their determination to compete in another Paralympics, has helped them through some of their toughest moments. In Paris, Donard wants to send a message to other refugees and people with disabilities that “anything is possible.â€
On the occasion of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are hosting a (27- 28 August), focused on leveraging Para sport as a catalyst for advancing disability inclusion. It is estimated that over 15% of the world's population live with a disability, and yet disability inclusion as a social movement is often overlooked, underfunded and misunderstood. UNESCO and the IPC aim to advance collective efforts to remove barriers, fight stigma, and increase access to sports and physical activity for persons with disabilities.