Press releases 2010

Press Release 1 March, 2010

UNHCR and the situation of internally displaced Roma in Cesmin Lug and Osterode camps in Kosovo

STOCKHOLM, March 1 (UNHCR) - NRK Søndagsrevyen’s reportage yesterday on the situation of internally displaced Roma in the lead polluted Cesmin Lug and Osterode camps in Kosovo is very disturbing. Well aware of the untenable situation, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has for years worked to assist the population in the two camps in various ways – including providing health education, medical treatment and food supplements and by improving the hygienic situation - and has urged responsible parties to find alternative solutions for the groups. The reportage leaves the impression that UNHCR has been in charge of the camps for the last ten years and thus is accountable for the situation. This is not correct. UNHCR ended its responsibility for these camps in 2001.

Wednesday, 10 February 2010

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie meets Haitian quake survivors

Angelina Jolie, who said she was in Haiti to "listen and to learn," visited medical centres, the UN mission and met with vulnerable children. On her arrival in the Haitian capital, Jolie was briefed by the United Nations Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Edmond Mulet on the scale of the humanitarian operation to date and the challenges that remain.

Tuesday, 2 February 2010

UNHCR welcomes establishment of Spain's resettlement programme

UNHCR welcomes the approval by the Council of Ministers of Spain on 29 January of the establishment of an annual refugee resettlement programme, in accordance with the recently amended asylum law.

Friday, 29.01.2010

Internal displacement in Yemen passes 250,000 mark

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is deepening and we now estimate that 250,000 civilians have been displaced since the countrys internal conflict flared in 2004. This represents a more than doubling of the number displaced as of August 2009 when the latest round of fighting erupted.

Tuesday,19.01.2010

UNHCR commits to help humanitarian effort in Haiti

UNHCR reiterates its strong commitment to back up and support the broader humanitarian effort to address the massive and urgent needs in Haiti, which is under the leadership of the Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes.

Tuesday,19.01.2010

More than 60,000 Somalis displaced in the first weeks of 2010

The number of Somali casualties and displaced civilians continues to grow as fighting in central areas of Somalia rages on. Since the beginning of the year, fighting and general insecurity have displaced an estimated 63,000 people in Somalia.

Tuesday 12 January 2010

Somalia: Widening strife causing increased displacement

The widening strife in Somalia is having a devastating effect on the civilian population and sparking increasing displacement.

Tuesday 12 January 2010

More than 200,000 displaced by the conflict in Yemen

There is no lull in the fierce fighting between the government troops and Al Houti forces in Saada province in northern Yemen as the conflict enters the sixth month. Thousands of Yemeni civilians continue to flee to neighbouring provinces, desperately seeking safety, shelter and assistance.