UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s Post

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄 • UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency—Perils of Crossing the Sahara Desert & UNHCR Shines Light on Refugee and Migrant Challenges In a groundbreaking report, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has brought to the forefront the harsh realities faced by refugees and migrants embarking on the perilous journey across the Sahara Desert. Surpassing the number of crossings seen in the Mediterranean Sea, the treacherous passage through the Sahara presents a daunting challenge for those seeking safety and a better life. UNHCR's latest findings shed light on the often overlooked dangers and hardships that individuals encounter on these land routes. The agency's report highlights the struggles and perils faced by refugees and migrants as they navigate the unforgiving terrain of the desert, braving extreme temperatures, harsh conditions, and the constant threat of exploitation and violence. With a focus on raising awareness and advocating for the protection of those on the move, UNHCR's report serves as a stark reminder of the resilience and determination displayed by individuals in their quest for safety and security. Bringing attention to the challenges faced by refugees and migrants crossing the Sahara Desert, UNHCR aims to prompt action and support for those most vulnerable on their journey to a better future. As the world becomes more aware of the realities of migration and displacement, it is crucial to recognize and address the unique challenges faced by those traversing the Sahara Desert. Through its research and advocacy efforts, UNHCR continues to amplify the voices of refugees and migrants, working towards a more inclusive and compassionate response to the global refugee crisis. #UNHCR #Refugee

With more people estimated to cross the Sahara Desert than the Mediterranean Sea, our new report casts light on the much less documented and publicized perils facing refugees and migrants on these land routes. Find out more in our report with IOM - UN Migration and Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) here: https://bit.ly/4byO0gO

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕖 Although migratory routes are increasingly complex and dangerous, migrants face more risks, such as exploitation, abuse and death along the way, a progressive increase is estimated for this year. Therefore, various challenges will be generated, such as the management of migratory flows, social integration and access to basic services. In addition, it will be necessary to improve, even more a responsibility shared by all countries. As well as strengthening international cooperation to address the challenges of migration in a comprehensive and humane manner. Additional resources: 🟢 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): https://www.acnur.org/ 🟢 International Organization for Migration (IOM): https://www.iom.int/

Today, on World Refugee Day, our Associate Director of Research Cevat Giray Aksoy shares insights from his economic research on refugees and migration. Watch the video below and learn more about his work here: Hometown Conflict and Refugees’ Integration Efforts: https://lnkd.in/egVpfHk6 The Effect of Conflict on Ukrainian Refugees’ Return and Integration: https://lnkd.in/eXZQRZSf #WorldRefugeeDay https://lnkd.in/eg5gFJNp

🟢 This year's "Resisting the extreme" report sets out examples of policies and actions around the world that recognise that #migrants merit support and protection, and that acknowledge the #potential of migration as a positive driver of growth and prosperity for migrants themselves as well as societies in origin and destination countries. 🙌 It is thanks to such attitudes, government policies and civil society initiatives that millions of migrants and refugees find sanctuary, success and pathways to citizenship and integration in their host countries. 📑 Delve into the report's insights here:

We need a completely different approach to forced migration..... if people are not able to regularly cross borders they cannot apply for asylum and obtain refugee status, which currently implies less international support available. The number of UNHCR relocations is 90.000 (2023), which is a fraction of the global demand. We clearly need a new refugee definition and a new approach starting at the root causes, my proposal is that a refugee is “anyone in acute or foreseeable need of refuge” See: https://lnkd.in/d3DKhVBJ

As individuals embark on journeys of movement, whether due to climate change, conflict, or economic factors, it is paramount to recognise the challenges they face and address them with comprehensive and compassionate measures. The commitment to safeguarding the well-being, rights, and dignity of migrants should be at the core of all those concerned about human mobility.   Today, as we mark International Migrants Day, I join IOM in Nigeria to stress the need for ACTION towards prioritising migrant protection and advocating for people-centred, evidence-based solutions to navigate the escalating complexities of migration.

On 17 and 30 April, two big events took place: the Red Talks, dedicated to the issue of missing migrants in Africa. These sessions were jointly organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC , the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC and the United Nations Network on Migration, ahead of the Africa consultations for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration Review. Participants from numerous African Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies joint online. Saving lives and searching for missing migrants is the primary responsibility of States. Transnational cooperation must be enhanced to prevent disappearances, identify the deceased, and support their families. Migrants going missing can't be forgotten. #migration #missingmigrants

The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP) orgnized an interesting webinar last week titled "EU Migration Deals in MENA: Exacerbating Displacement Crises?", a quite pressing ongoing issue witnessed in countries of the MENA region as a result of the EU externalization deals. In case you missed this webinar, you can find the recording here: <https://lnkd.in/d65DKF-W> I believe that it is high time Tunisia and the EU officials took serious measures and established a human rights-based framework on border management: First off, Italy’s and Europe’s unfair and even inhumane position regarding the treatment of irregular migrants should come to an end, and also the will to externalize such treatment via third countries such as Tunisia and Egypt: by granting them money to ‘deal’ with migrants at sea and intercepting their ways and later leaving them to death on the Algerian and Libyan boarders (for Tunisia’s case) is merely unacceptable.  #migration #worldrefugeeday #MENAregion #EUinhumanedeals #humanrights

AREA BASED #DELIVERY OF #AID TO THOSE IN #NEED IN THE #SAHEL. #Sahel governments, #European partners, and international organisations should focus on the #delivery of assistance, protection and #aid to those in need. In a context of mixed movements and high vulnerability, area-based approaches are key to addressing the needs of whole communities, hosts, refugees, IDPs and migrants. Area-based approaches have been replicated in several high-risk areas, and avoid the creation of ‘assistance hot spots’ that would pull people to specific regions to seek aid. Cities for example have become an important destination of displaced persons – a trend that governments have tried to rebuff. For Europeans, this would require an important change of perspective from the route-centred approach that has prevailed since 2015.