This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 24 January 2012, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UNHCR is very concerned at reports this week of two suspected poliomyelitis cases among Somali refugee...

As part of a two-day mission to Ethiopia (9-10 Feb.), UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Alexander T. Aleinikoff and the Chief Executive Officer of IKEA Foundation, Mr. Per Heggenes, visited Kobe and Bur Amino camps on 10 February 2012. The two officials appreciated the progress being made to address Ko...

Somalia conflict keeps Ethiopia's Dolo Ado refugee camp busy – audio slideshow

A year ago this June, desperate Somali refugees began pouring into neighbouring countries, driven from their homes by conflict, human rights abuses and the worst drought in decades. This latest chapter has been another stark reminder of the Somali population’s tragic and prolonged suffering spanning...

DADAAB, Kenya, August 2 (UNHCR) – A devastating fire that razed a market in Kenya's Dadaab refugee complex last weekend has highlighted the need for better fire safety preparedness and response in the world's largest refugee camp. The fire started on Sunday evening in the market of Dagahaley camp...

The flow of refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa across the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea towards Yemen continues to exceed previous records. In the first seven of 2012, more than 63,800 people made this perilous journey compared to 48,700 during the same period last year - a 30 per cent inc...

Conditions in South Sudan’s refugee camps have continued to worsen over the past few days under the strain of continuing large refugee inflows and flooding from torrential rains. The health situation has at this point become UNHCR’s priority concern, and we are watching closely for possible outbreak...

We are very concerned about reports we are receiving concerning the tense and fragile security situation in the areas affected by the recent violence in Rakhine State. Even though the situation appears calm, we are still getting reports of violence and new displacements. In the days ahead, anyone...

UNHCR welcomes a decision by the Dominican Republic to reactivate its refugee eligibility commission that reviews asylum applications. Known as the CONARE - Comision Nacional para Refugiados - the commission held its first meeting since 2005 on June 13, reviewing some 19 asylum cases. This breakthro...

In summary, close to 9,000 civilians were displaced during the reporting period (almost the double of last week's figure of new IDPs). Marka and the outskirts of Mogadishu are now major places of new displacement. IDPs in these locations are in need of assistance.