UNHCR-Ipsos survey shows enduring public support for refugees, alongside stark variations in attitudes
GENEVA – A major survey on attitudes towards refugees across the Global North and South shows that three-quarters of adults continue to believe that those fleeing war or persecution should be able to seek safety in other countries. The findings of the survey conducted...
UNHCR warns against apathy and inaction amid spike in forced displacement
GENEVA – Forced displacement surged to historic new levels across the globe last year and this, according to the 2024 flagship Global Trends Report from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. The rise in overall forced displacement – to 120 million by May 2024 – was the 12th...
UNHCR Hosts Halal bi Halal Event, Strengthening Partnerships in Islamic Philanthropy
Jakarta, May 3, 2024 – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Indonesia held its inaugural Halal bi Halal event on May 2, 2024. The event brought together key figures from Islamic philanthropic organizations, scholars, and experts to reaffirm...
UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner applauds Indonesia’s humanitarian traditions on refugee protection
JAKARTA, 25 April 2024 – UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, concluded her three-day visit to Aceh and Jakarta, Indonesia, emphasizing the crucial role of the Government and local communities in providing protection for...
UNHCR and IOM mobilize aid for Rohingya Refugees following boat tragedy in Indonesia
Bangkok, 22 March 2024 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and IOM, the UN Migration Agency are shocked and deeply concerned over the situation off the coast of Meulaboh, West Aceh, Indonesia where a vessel transporting Rohingya refugees has capsized. With rescue...
History of Displacement in Indonesia and the Role of UNHCR
2024 marks the 45th year of UNHCR in Indonesia. As a vast country, Indonesia has experienced several key moments related to displacement in its recent history. UNHCR engaged during these periods to support the Indonesian government, the local communities and to...
UNHCR disturbed over mob attack and forced eviction of refugees in Aceh, Indonesia
BANGKOK – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply disturbed to see a mob attack on a site sheltering vulnerable refugee families, the majority being children and women, in Indonesia Banda Aceh city. Hundreds of youngsters stormed a building basement on Wednesday (27...
Refugee protection obligations and UNHCR’s mandate
Responding to the latest issues regarding UNHCR, here we share several facts for everyone to know: While Indonesia has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, its 1945 Constitution Article 28, recognizes the right to seek asylum, for all individuals. Furthermore,...
14 Facts on Rohingya Refugees
In the recent weeks, there has been a proliferation of social media posts regarding the recent boat arrivals of Rohingya refugees in Aceh. Here are some facts on Rohingya refugees that you need to know: 1. For decades, Rohingya have faced extreme suffering in...
UNHCR seeks urgent action to provide lifesaving rescue at sea for boats adrift in the Andaman Sea
BANGKOK — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is making an urgent appeal to all countries in the region, particularly those in the area surrounding the Andaman Sea, to swiftly deploy their full search and rescue capacities in response to reported vessels in distress with...
UNHCR welcomes recent boat rescues and safe disembarkations in Indonesia and seeks continued support for additional boats in distress
BANGKOK — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, commends the life-saving actions taken by the Indonesian authorities and Acehnese people over the last three days to rescue and safely disembark persons distressed at sea. UNHCR pleads for continued compassion and hospitality to...
UNHCR welcomes Indonesia’s act of humanity, saving desperate human lives adrift at sea
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is relieved to see more than 200 desperate people being brought ashore to safety, in north-west Indonesia over the past few days. Many among them are believed to have been adrift for at least a month, without any help before being...