Unhcr News - Latest Updates & Headlines
Nearly 2 million Afghan refugees still living in Pakistan amid deportations: UNHCR report
Kabul, December 27: Nearly two million Afghan refugees are currently living in Pakistan, according to a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Tolo News reported, citing Pakistani media.
Afghanistan: Japan pledges USD 2 Million in Humanitarian aid for returnees
Kabul, December 27: Japan has said that it will provide USD 2 million in humanitarian funding for assisting returnees in Afghanistan.
UAE signs agreement with UNHCR to support humanitarian response for those affected by conflict in Sudan
Abu Dhabi, December 21: The UAE Aid Agency has signed a cooperation agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support the delivery of urgent humanitarian and relief aid to the Sudanese people impacted by the repercussions of the ongoing conflict in the country.
Over 5700 Afghan refugees repatriated from Iran, Pakistan in single day
Kabul, Dec 19: More than 5700 Afghan refugees were forcibly repatriated from Pakistan and Iran in a single day, a top Taliban official stated on Friday.
Former Iraq President Salih elected UN High Commissioner for RefugeesÂ
United Nations, Dec 19: Barham Salih, a former Iraqi president who was himself once a refugee, has been elected the UN High Commissioner for Refugees at a time when the agency faces the twin crises of shrinking resources and a huge increase in people needing its help.
Over 3000 Afghan refugees forcibly deported from Iran, Pakistan in single day
Kabul, Dec 16: Over 3000 Afghan refugees have been forcibly repatriated from Iran and Pakistan in a single day, a top Taliban official stated on Tuesday.
Pakistan, Iran forcibly deport over 10,000 Afghan refugees in two days
Kabul, Dec 13: Over 10, 000 Afghan refugees were forcibly deported from Iran and Pakistan in the last two days, an Afghan official said on Saturday.
Following directives of UAE President, UAE announces $550 million for UN's 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview
Abu Dhabi, December 10: Under the directives of President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has announced a substantial pledge of US$550 million to support the UN's Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO), which aims to raise US$33 billion in 2026 to support approximately 135 million people across 23 humanitarian operations worldwide, including programs supporting refugees and migrants.
Over 1500 Afghan refugees forcibly deported from Pakistan, Iran in single day
Kabul, Dec 9: Over 1, 500 Afghan refugees were forcibly repatriated from Iran and Pakistan in a single day, according to Taliban official statement on Tuesday, local media reported.
UAE allocates USD 15 million to UNHCR for Sudan response
Geneva, December 3: The United Arab Emirates announced today the allocation of USD 15 million to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in support of its humanitarian response for Sudan and neighbouring countries, during the UNHCR Pledging Conference for the 2026 Global Appeal. The contribution reinforces the UAE's continued commitment to supporting populations affected by conflict and instability.
Over 5000 Afghan refugees forcibly deported from Pakistan, Iran in single day: Taliban
Kabul, Dec 3: Over 5, 000 Afghan refugees were forcibly repatriated from Pakistan and Iran in a single day, local media reported, quoting a Taliban official on Wednesday.
284,000 Afghans deported from Iran, Pakistan and Turkey in one month
Kabul, November 21: Iran's Interior Minister stated that nearly six million foreign nationals are currently living in the country, Tolo News reported, with Minister Iskandar Momeni noting that more than 1.5 million migrants have returned to Afghanistan during the ongoing solar year.
Over 10,000 Afghan refugees return from Pakistan, Iran in single day
Kabul, November 21: A total of 10, 405 Afghan citizens returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan in a single day, Pajhwok News Agency reported on Thursday, citing officials.
Taliban says over 10,000 Afghan refugees forcibly deported from Iran, Pakistan in single day
Kabul, Nov 20: More than 10, 000 Afghan refugees were forcibly deported from Pakistan and Iran in a single day on Wednesday, a top Taliban official stated on Thursday.
Afghan nationals approach Peshawar court against Pakistan's forced repatriation
Islamabad, Nov 20: Around 400 Afghan nationals, including several artists and their families, have approached the Peshawar High Court, requesting the judge to issue orders for government to halt their forced deportation to Afghanistan in accordance with the principle of non-refoulment as they would be subjected to persecution in their country, the local media reported on Thursday.
Taliban FM takes indirect dig at Pakistan for inhumane deportation of Afghan refugees
Kabul, Nov 18: Taliban Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi on Tuesday stopped short of calling out Pakistan as he slammed "some countries" for treating Afghan refugees "inhumanely" due to political considerations.
Pakistan intensifies crackdown on Afghan refugees amid rising tensions with Kabul
New Delhi, Oct 26: Pakistan has become increasingly hostile to the 2.8 million Afghan refugees who have lived within its borders for decades, with Islamabad launching a sweeping campaign of deportations in the name of combating terrorism.
Pakistan: Punjab govt begins third phase of deporting Afghan nationals
Islamabad, Oct 12: The Punjab province government has launched the third phase of deporting illegal Afghan nationals from Pakistan after identifying about 123 more such people and bringing them to holding centres for their deportation, local media reported on Sunday.
UNHCR expresses concern over Pakistan's plan to expel Afghan refugees from 16 villages
Kabul, Oct 9: The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed concern over Pakistan's plan to expel Afghan refugees from 16 villages in Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning that forced expulsion could lead to devastating humanitarian consequences, Afghan media reported on Thursday.
Humanitarian grounds cannot override foreigners act in deportation cases: Delhi HC
New Delhi, September 29: The Delhi High Court has made it clear that humanitarian considerations cannot be invoked to bypass the statutory framework governing the entry and stay of foreign nationals in India.
Afghanistan hit by 5.6-magnitude earthquake after over 2,200 killed
Kabul, Sep 5: A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan, centered 14 km east of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, according to the US Geological Survey.
850,000 Syrians return home as UN refugee official calls for international support
Beirut, Sep 3: Around 850,000 Syrians have returned from neighbouring countries since December, the United Nations refugee agency said, as its deputy chief Kelly Clements ended a five-day visit to Lebanon and Syria.
UNHCR says over 2.3 million Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan this year
Kabul, Aug 28: Over 2.3 million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan this year, according to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UN Refugee agency warned that these Afghan refugees face severe hardship and called for support to meet their basic needs, local media reported.
Iran plans to deport around two million undocumented Afghan migrants
Kabul, Aug 18: Amid rising regional pressure on refugees, Iran is planning to deport around two million undocumented Afghan migrants, the authorities in Tehran said on Monday while assuring that the process will follow legal procedures with dignity.
Iran deports thousands of Afghan refugees, intensifying pressure on job market in Afghanistan
Kabul, Aug 6: Iran has deported thousands of Afghan refugees, many of whom had long been employed in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and skilled trades. Their sudden return is placing immense strain on Afghanistan's already fragile economy, creating an urgent need for employment opportunities and essential support services, local media reported.
Uganda to host nearly 2 million refugees by end of 2025 due to escalating crises: UN
United Nations, Aug 5: Uganda, already home to 1.93 million refugees, is on the verge of hosting 2 million refugees by the end of 2025 due to escalating crises in Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a UN spokesperson said.
Nearly 1.2 million Afghans back home from Pakistan since September 2023: Report
Kabul, August 1: Nearly 1.2 million Afghans have returned from Pakistan since September 2023, according to a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report. In the report, the UNHCR noted that many of the Afghans who have returned, face dire conditions and called for urgent aid to prevent a worsening humanitarian crisis.
UNHCR welcomes Mali's new law to protect stateless persons
Bamako, July 1: The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) welcomed Mali's recent adoption of an innovative law aimed at protecting the rights of stateless persons and improving their situation, according to a statement released.
UN: Afghans face highest global resettlement needs for 2026 as deportations surge ahead of regional deadlines
Kabul, June 27: The United Nations has reported that 2.5 million refugees globally will require resettlement in 2026, with Afghan nationals comprising the largest group in need, according to a report cited by TOLO News.
UNHCR says conflict in South Sudan uprooted over 1,65,000 people in three months
Juba, June 4: More than 1,65,000 people have fled increasing tensions and conflict in South Sudan in the past three months to seek safety both within the country and across borders, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said.
Over 175,000 Syrians return home since December: Turkish Minister
Ankara, April 17: A total of 175,512 Syrians have voluntarily returned to their country from Turkey since December 9 last year, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.
Pakistan set to intensify deportation of Afghan refugees post Eid holidays
Islamabad, April 3: Pakistan is set to intensify the deportation of Afghan refugees post Eid holidays as the March 31 deadline for refugees, including Afghan Citizen Card holders, to voluntarily return to their home country, has ended, local media reported on Thursday.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).