Asylum claims in Southern Europe up by 95% in 2014
The number of newly registered asylum seekers in Southern Europe went up to 170,700 in 2014 – the highest on record (+95%), according to the 2014 UNHCR Asylum trends.
UNHCR warns of bleaker future for refugees as Syrian conflict enters 5th year
As the Syrian conflict enters its fifth year, the UN refugee agency warned on Thursday that millions of refugees in neighbouring countries and those displaced within the country are caught in deteriorating conditions, facing an even bleaker future without more international support.
Major tragedy in the Mediterranean confirmed, 300 migrants and refugees are missing
The UN refugee agency is shocked at new information emerging on the actual scale of the tragedy in the Mediterranean after Monday’s rescue attempts by the Italian Coast Guard. Reports gathered by UNHCR from the Italian Coast Guard and the survivors in Lampedusa now suggest some 300 people are confirmed missing.
More tragedy in the Mediterranean as 87 people are rescued from dinghy east of Malta
UNHCR commends the efforts of Armed Forces of Malta as 87 people were found in distress and rescued from a dinghy east of Malta in the morning of 22 January.
UNHCR welcomes publication of Kamara inquiry
UNHCR welcomes the publication of the inquiry report regarding the tragic death of Mamadou Kamara in 2012, who had arrived in Malta as an asylum seeker and died while in custody of Detention Service officers.
UNHCR urges focus on saving lives as 2014 boat people numbers near 350,000
The UN refugee agency on Wednesday warned that the international community was losing its focus on saving lives amid confusion among coastal nations and regional blocs over how to respond to the growing number of people making risky sea journeys in search of asylum or migration.