Tag: Migrants and refugees

Aid cut threat for Afghan deportees, saving Rohingya lives at sea, China respiratory illness spike, new rail transport treaty — Global Issues

Pakistan announced in October that it would begin deporting “undocumented” foreign nationals starting on 1 November, affecting thousands of Afghans who have found refuge in the country.

WFP said most families crossing the border are arriving hungry, desperate and in need of immediate support.

The UN agency continues to supply them with fortified biscuits and cash to buy food or other basic necessities, and has assisted 250,000 people so far this month.

Hsiao-Wei Lee, WFP Afghanistan Country Director said its programme there is already critically underfunded.

He warned that without additional resources “we will not be able to continue our support to these families who are arriving at the border with nothing but a few basics and some bread for their journey.”

WFP is urgently seeking $27.5 million to support one million returnees and help them get through the winter.

Rights expert: Emergency response needed to save Rohingya refugees at sea

A UN independent expert has called for action to save the lives of Rohingya refugees making dangerous sea journeys to Indonesia as conditions in refugee camps in Bangladesh continue to deteriorate.

“The crisis will only worsen without addressing its root cause – the illegal military junta of Myanmar,” Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the country, said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Bangladesh is hosting more than one million Rohingya refugees, who have fled waves of violence in Myanmar.

More than 1,000 refugees arrived by boat in Indonesia’s northernmost province of Aceh over the past week.

Mr. Andrews commended the Government of Indonesia for offering safety, shelter and support to the arrivals, and urged other countries in the region to follow suit

“This is an emergency, and an emergency response is required, including a coordinated search and rescue operation to save the lives of those who may be stranded on overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels,” he said.

Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. They serve in their individual capacity, are not UN staff, and do not receive a salary.

China: WHO requests data on spread of respiratory diseases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has made an official request to China for detailed information on a spike in respiratory illnesses in children.

The Chinese authorities reported the increase 10 days ago, WHO said, and attributed it to “the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens” including the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus itself, influenza and a bacterium that causes pneumonia.

Other reports of “clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China” followed earlier this week.

WHO said that it had asked China for laboratory results from the pneumonia clusters as well as insight into the other respiratory diseases which are spreading and the impact on the health system.

The UN agency stressed that it was also in contact with clinicians and scientists through its existing technical partnerships and networks in China.

In the meantime, WHO advised people in China follow measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness, such as recommended vaccination, testing and staying home when ill, masks, ventilation and hand-washing.

New rail transport treaty also has ‘green’ benefits

A new UN convention that promises to boost transport of goods by rail will also bring major environmental benefits.

That’s the message from the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which said that moving cargo by rail between Europe and Asia will be easier, quicker and cheaper after the adoption last week of the international treaty to streamline cross-border rail trade.

UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean said the treaty also means good news for climate action given that rail freight emits 5.7 times less greenhouse gases than road transport per tonne-kilometre, which is a unit of measure of freight transport.

Rail freight between China and Europe has already seen a major increase in recent years as it is much faster than shipping and less expensive than air transport.

The new treaty will open for signature in February.

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Funding shortfall puts WFP operations in Chad at risk — Global Issues

The warning comes as aid agencies scramble to respond to a fresh wave of displacement sparked by the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Darfur region of Sudan, with reports of mass killings, rapes and widespread destruction.

The crisis is occurring amid the ongoing war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which erupted in April.

Millions going hungry

More than 2.3 million people in Chad, including 1.3 million children, were already going hungry due to climate impacts, rising food and fuel prices, declining agricultural production and intercommunal tensions.

The country is hosting more than a million refugees – among the largest and fastest-growing refugee populations in Africa.

“It is staggering but more Darfuris have fled to Chad in the last six months than in the preceding 20 years. We cannot let the world stand and allow our life-saving operations grind to a halt in Chad,” said Pierre Honnorat, WFP’s Country Director in Chad.

Aid suspension imminent

Mr. Honnorat appealed for greater support to help Sudanese refugees who “cross the border with nothing but harrowing tales of violence.”

“Cutting assistance paves the way for crises of nutrition, crises of instability, and crisis of displacement,” he warned.

WFP said it will be forced to suspend assistance to internally displaced people and refugees from Nigeria, Central African Republic and Cameroon starting in December.

The suspension will be extended in January to 1.4 million people across the country, including new arrivals from Sudan.

The UN agency is seeking $185 million to support its operations over the next six months.

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Transforming lives in Darién jungle — Global Issues

© IOM/Gema Cortés

Migrants come ashore from the Chucunaque River after crossing the Darién jungle.

A rising number of migrants are attempting the dangerous journey across the Darién jungle spanning the Colombia-Panama border. For Etzaida Rios, 35, the impact of providing hope and help runs deep.

She works as a Community Officer with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in a temporary migrant reception centre in San Vicente, one of the first points of arrival for migrants, who are often exhausted, malnourished, dehydrated, or injured.

“People arrive with pressing needs and many questions,” she said, after attending to Zuleybis, who fractured her leg while crossing the Darién with her husband José and four children. The Venezuelan family received treatment at the centre before continuing their path north.

“The biggest challenge is witnessing suffering and hearing heartbreaking stories,” she said. “While we see terrible things on television or read about them, it is even harder and more frustrating to see it with your eyes as it unfolds before you.”

Read more about Ms. Rios’ story here.

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Displaced families uprooted by severe floods across Horn of Africa — Global Issues

The floods were caused by ongoing heavy rains and come in the wake of the longest and most severe drought on record, the impacts of which are still being felt by millions across the region.

Among the greatest needs are food, emergency shelter, kitchen sets, blankets, clean water and hygiene services. Families living in flood-prone areas also require urgent support to relocate to higher ground.

Damage, destruction and drownings

More than 795,000 displacements have been recorded in Somalia alone, where many of those uprooted had already been forced to flee conflict and drought.

“Homes have been extensively damaged or destroyed and, in some locations, people are sheltering under trees on higher ground. There are also tragic reports of drownings,” said UNHCR Spokesperson William Spindler, speaking in Geneva.

Flash floods in Ethiopia’s Somali Region have affected more than half a million people, and upwards of 20 have died, according to the authorities.

Close to 40,000 families, including those seeking safety from the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Somalia, are also on the run.

A helping hand

Mr. Spindler said 213,000 refugees across five settlements have also suffered. Nearly 1,000 families have lost their shelter, he added, noting that both clean and safe drinking water is scarce. Access to health services has also been impeded.

“In spite of such hardships, many refugees have made generous contributions to support members of the host communities who have also been impacted by the heavy rains,” he said.

Meanwhile, some 25,000 people at the Dadaab refugee camps in northeast Kenya have also been impacted, with many seeking shelter in schools at the complex or in nearby communities. Some refugees are also hosting the newly displaced in their homes, leading to overcrowding.

“Flooded roads have hindered the movement of people, making it particularly difficult for vulnerable people to access services, including for pregnant women to reach hospitals,” said Mr. Spindler.

Another 100 families at the Kakuma camp in northwest Kenya also were forced to move due to massive soil erosion from the rains.

Livestock and incomes lost

Mr. Spindler noted that livelihoods also have been “gravely affected” by the flooding. He gave the example of one location in southern Ethiopia, where over 65 per cent of the land is now reportedly under water.

“Meanwhile, over 1,000 livestock have died, and another 1,000 hectares of crops have been wiped out in the Somali Region, risking the worsening of an already dire food situation,” he added.

He also voiced grave concern over sanitation. Hundreds of communal latrines have been damaged, putting people at risk of infectious diseases, including cholera. Many roads have been ruined, thus impacting access to healthcare and other critical services.

UN supporting families

UNHCR and partners are distributing relief items to the newly displaced families, including dignity kits for women and girls. Households are also receiving cash assistance to buy building materials to repair or reinforce shelters, and sandbags have been provided to protect people from flood waters.

However, the UN agency stressed the need for urgent donor support to both deliver assistance and protection and to save lives as the rains continue.

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UNHCR warns Darfur atrocities of 20 years ago may reoccur — Global Issues

More than 800 people have been reportedly killed by armed groups in Ardamata, West Darfur, an area which has so far been less affected by the conflict that erupted in April.

Ardamata also housed a camp for internally displaced people, Close to 100 shelters have been razed to the ground, while extensive looting – including of UNHCR relief items – has also taken place.

Two decades ago, thousands were killed across Darfur and millions displaced in fighting between Sudanese Government forces backed by allied militia known as the Janjaweed on one side, and rebel groups resisting the autocratic rule of President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019.

UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, warned in June that if fighting in West Darfur continued, including attacks based on ethnicity, this could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Violations, extortion and killings

The UN refugee agency expressed alarm over reports of continued sexual violence, torture, arbitrary killings, extortion of civilians and targeting of specific ethnic groups.

“Twenty years ago, the world was shocked by the terrible atrocities and human rights violations in Darfur. We fear a similar dynamic might be developing,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.

“An immediate end to the fighting and unconditional respect for the civilian population by all parties are crucial to avoid another catastrophe,” he added.

Millions displaced

More than 4.8 million people have been displaced inside Sudan since fighting broke out in mid-April between the army and a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A further 1.2 million have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.

UNHCR reported that more than 8,000 people fled to Chad in the last week alone, though this is likely to be an underestimate due to challenges registering new arrivals.

The agency and partners are working with the government to prepare for more refugees entering the country.

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2023 likely hottest year on record; further spike expected with El Niño — Global Issues

That’s the message from UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which said on Wednesday that for the calendar year to date, the global mean temperature is the highest ever recorded, 1.43 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and sea ice in the Antarctic remains at record low levels.

WMO expects the warming El Niño climate pattern to last at least until April 2024, contributing to a further spike in temperatures.

Head of WMO, Petteri Taalas, said that as El Niño’s impacts on global temperature typically play out in the year after its development, next year “may be even warmer”.

Fuel on the fire

While El Niño occurs naturally, it takes place in the context of climate change fuelled by “increasing concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases from human activities,” Prof. Taalas stressed.

He warned that extreme weather events such as heatwaves, drought, wildfires, heavy rain and floods will be worse in some regions.

“That is why WMO is committed to the Early Warnings For All initiative to save lives and minimize economic losses,” he added.

The previous warmest year on record was 2016 due to a “double whammy” of an exceptionally strong El Niño and climate change.

El Niño is created by warm waters coming to the surface which are then released as extra heat into the atmosphere.

Since May this year, monthly average sea surface temperature anomalies in the central-eastern equatorial Pacific have warmed significantly, rising from about 0.5 °C above average to around 1.5 °C above average in September, WMO said.

These estimates are relative to the 1991-2020 baseline period, using the latest version of the Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (OISST) dataset.

The most recent expert forecasts suggest a high likelihood of continued warming in the Pacific for at least the next four overlapping three-month seasons, through to February-April 2024.

A strong El Niño does not necessarily mean strong El Niño impacts locally, the UN agency stresses.

“It is important to note that El Niño is not the only factor that drives global and regional climate patterns, and that the magnitudes of El Niño indicators do not directly correspond to the magnitudes of their effects. No two El Niño events are alike.”

Warmest October by far

It was by far the warmest October on record, 0.85°C above the 1991-2020 average, and 0.40°C above the previous warmest October. The global temperature anomaly was the second highest across all months in the ERA5 dataset, behind September 2023, it said.

October marked the sixth consecutive month that Antarctic sea ice extent remained at record low levels for the time of year, with a monthly value 11 per cent below average. Arctic sea ice extent reached its 7th lowest value for October, at 12 per cent below average.

El Niño conditions continued to develop in the equatorial Pacific, although anomalies remain lower than those reached at this time of year during the development of the historically strong 1997 and 2015 events.

In October 2023, overall precipitation was above average across most of Europe, said WMO. Storm Babet hit northern Europe, and storm Aline impacted Portugal and Spain, bringing heavy rain and flooding.

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Protection call for refugees in Pakistan, ‘One Health’ plan launched, radio waves saving lives — Global Issues

According to news reports, Pakistani security forces began detaining and deporting dozens of Afghans under the new policy this week after a Government deadline for them to leave ran out.

The majority of undocumented refugees who have settled in Pakistan over decades are from neighbouring Afghanistan, and following the Taliban takeover, thousands more fled seeking sanctuary.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR, migration agency IOM, together with children’s agency UNICEF, said they are “deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of children and families affected…and alarmed at the potential consequences of this plan’s implementation.”

Almost 30 million people require humanitarian assistance and 3.3 million are internally displaced inside Afghanistan amidst overlapping crisis.

Since 15 September an estimated 160,000 Afghans have left Pakistan, with 86 percent of families reported fear of arrest as the most common reason for leaving.

‘Generosity still needed’

“Pakistan has a proud tradition of hosting refugees, saving millions of lives. This generosity is still needed”, the agencies said.

Although the undocumented are designated for repatriation in phase one, there are reports of registered refugees, including Afghan Citizenship Card holders and Afghans scheduled for resettlement, being pressurised despite assurances they will be protected.”

“Any return needs to be voluntary and done in a safe and orderly manner, with full respect for rights and protection of those in need” stressed UNHCR’s Representative, Philippa Candler.

UNICEF Pakistan Representative, Abdullah Fadil, said: “A child is a child. Children everywhere must be protected at all times to live with dignity, so they can grow, learn and reach their full potential”.

UNHCR, IOM and UNICEF continue to appeal to the international community to increase support for hosting vulnerable children and families and refugees in Pakistan.

‘Our best bet for preventing the next pandemic’: New ‘One Health’ approach launched

UN health agency WHOcalled on world leaders on Friday to invest in a holistic approach to tackle major health threats including zoonotic diseases, focusing on the connections between the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment.

The “One Health” approach, as it’s known, “makes public health sense, economic sense and common sense”, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“It’s obvious that we can only protect and promote the health of humans by protecting and promoting the health of animals, and the planet on which all life depends,” he insisted.

In support of the call, UN Environment Programme head Inger Andersen wrote on social platform X on Friday that “a unified One Health approach is our best bet for preventing the next pandemic and building a more resilient future for all”.

She highlighted that human activities and stressed ecosystems make it easier for diseases to emerge and spread.

WHO estimates that air pollution leads to seven million deaths and $3 trillion losses every year, while antimicrobial resistance leads to five million deaths every year, with losses of up to $100 trillion by 2050.

WHO said that according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank, One Health efforts “could bring at least $37 billion per year back to the global community” while investing in One Health requires less than 10 per cent of this amount.

Protect radio frequencies from harmful interference, urges WMO chief

Having radio frequency bandwidth is a key requirement for all weather observation systems which must be protected from harmful interference, according to the head of the UN weather agency WMO.

Secretary-General Petteri Taalas outlined WMO’s concerns on Friday writing in a publication of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ahead of the forthcoming UN World Radiocommunication Conference.

“Access to the radio-frequency spectrum is critical to the meteorological and hydrological infrastructure that underpins weather and related environmental services worldwide”, said Mr. Talaas.

Underpinned by radio waves

“Satellites, weather radar, hydrological observing systems, and drifting buoys all operate based on radio or microwave transmissions,” he writes.

“The safety of life and property depends on weather and environmental forecasts. Extended warning times for severe events enable citizens, civil authorities and first responders to act.”

The World Radiocommunication Conference in Dubai later this month will update global Radio Regulations, the treaty governing radio spectrum and satellite orbits.

Ahead of the conference, ITU News published a dedicated edition on Science services – Earth observation at the World Radiocommunication Conference.

“Radio networks are vital to making our world more sustainable, and WRC-23 can help us move forward together on all fronts,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.

“One of those fronts is climate monitoring, mitigation, and adaptation. ITU is a key partner in Early Warnings for All – the UN Secretary-General’s groundbreaking initiative to ensure everyone on Earth is protected from climate hazards and disasters through life-saving alerts by the end of 2027.”

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Pakistan urged to halt Afghan deportations to avoid ‘human rights catastrophe’ — Global Issues

OHCHR is urging the authorities to halt deportations, which are set to begin on 1 November, Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told journalists in Geneva.

Currently, more than two million undocumented Afghans are living in Pakistan, at least 600,000 of whom arrived after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.

‘Grave risk’ of violations

“We believe many of those facing deportation will be at grave risk of human rights violations if returned to Afghanistan, including arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, cruel and other inhuman treatment,” she said.

At particular risk are “civil society activists, journalists, human rights defenders, former government officials and security force members, and of course women and girls as a whole,” she added, recalling “abhorrent policies” banning them from secondary and university education, working in many sectors and other aspects of daily and public life.

Ms. Shamdasani noted that the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have already documented a sharp increase in returns to Afghanistan since the deadline was announced on 3 October.

By 15 October, 59,780 Afghans had left Pakistan, according to a recent flash report by the two agencies. The majority, 78 per cent, cited fear of arrest as the reason for leaving.

‘Suspend forcible returns’

“As the 1 November deadline approaches, we urge the Pakistan authorities to suspend forcible returns of Afghan nationals before it is too late to avoid a human rights catastrophe,” said Ms. Shamdasani.

OHCHR also called on the Government to continue providing protection to those in need and ensure that any future returns are safe, dignified, voluntary and in line with international law.

Immense needs back home

Ms. Shamdasani noted that as winter approaches, any mass deportations are bound to deepen the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, which continues to grapple with the devastating impact of the series of earthquakes that struck Herat province this month.

At least 1,400 people were killed and 1,800 injured, she added, citing official figures.

She also noted that Afghanistan has a population of 43 million people, most of whom, nearly 30 million, currently need relief assistance, according to the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA. More than three million are internally displaced.

“We remind the de facto authorities of the international human rights obligations that continue to bind Afghanistan as a state and their obligations to protect, promote and fulfil human rights,” she said.

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‘A handful of soil’ – refugee stories from Armenia — Global Issues

Some 100,000 refugees have arrived in Armenia since the end of September and many have received support from the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Here are some of their stories.

© IOM/Joe Lowry

Ophelia Aghajanyan

Ophelia Aghajanyan: We are pensioners. My husband, who used to be a soldier, is a disabled man. My son as well. My sister’s only child was brought here in a closed coffin.

We buried a lot of our relatives. I have left my holy dead, and I don’t blame myself; I have brought a handful of soil with me. What are we going to do? I don’t know. Who cares about pensioners?

IOM/Joe Lowry

Andranik Harutyunyan

Andranik Harutyunyan: The same day as they started striking our village, our whole community moved into to a cave. When it was time for all of us to leave the village, no one took anything from Berdadzor. Some people were able to get their family out by car, at least. But some were not.

If anyone can help anyone in our community with a place to live, the rest will be taken care of by us. We all are working families. We all will work to provide for our families.

© IOM/Joe Lowry

Svetlana Lazaryan

Svetlana Lazaryan: (previously living in Armenia) When I decided to return back to Karabakh, the woman who I was living with asked me a question: ‘Where are you going? You have no residence, no possessions. I said, ‘I don’t know where, but I’m needed there.’

I don’t know… The call of the heart… The call of blood. My parents are buried there. I have left my brother’s grave. I have left my father’s grave.

We understand our own pain. We must support each other and not wait for some external assistance. Why does no one want to hear and see us, understand our pain?

© IOM/Joe Lowry

Edgar Yedigaryan

Edgar Yedigaryan: I am engaged, and my fiancée is currently displaced in Hadrut region. We had decided to get married, but unfortunately this tragedy happened. But again, we are not breaking apart, we are not falling into despair. We will be able to overcome this and stand up again.

In terms of finding a job, if there’s no vacancy in state institutions, we will definitely do agriculture, farming, and take care of our family. We are working folk; we all can create something.

© IOM/Davit Gyumishyan

Marianna Grigoryan

Marianna Grigoryan: My mum and grandma fled in the 1990s and we don’t have a house. I am unaware of the concept of owning a house. And to be honest, I don’t even want to know what that is. Because I have seen how people build up those walls, put bricks on each other, make a home to live in and then be obliged to destroy what they have worked on for 30, 20, 15 years, in one second.

On the 19th, when that massive war situation started, people flowed to Stepanakert. Under bombardment and shooting, we started running from basement to basement. We figured out the amount of people per place and started quickly collecting blankets, shoes, everything we had. What’s happening here (aid distributions), we were doing the same things under bombing.

Karabakh: 100,000 refugees on the move | UN Responds

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UN agencies call on Pakistan to protect Afghan refugees — Global Issues

Amid a “severe humanitarian crisis”, Afghanistan currently faces several human rights challenges, particularly for women and girls, according to the UN.

Pakistan’s new plans would have “serious implications” for all who have been forced to leave the country and may face serious protection risks upon their return, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in a joint statement.

“The forced repatriation of Afghan nationals has the potential to result in severe human rights violations, including the separation of families and deportation of minors,” the UN agencies warned.

Pakistan continues to be one of the world’s largest refugee-hosting countries, providing safety to some 1.3 million registered refugees who were forced to flee their countries, 99 per cent of which are Afghans, according to UNHCR’s latest update in August.

‘Suspend forcible returns’

They reiterated a call on all countries to “suspend forcible returns of Afghan nationals” and ensure any possible returns to the country take place in a safe, dignified, and voluntary manner.

Acknowledging Pakistan’s sovereign prerogative over domestic policies, its need to manage populations on its territory, and its obligations to ensure public safety and security, the agencies recalled their longstanding and strong collaboration with the Government.

“UNHCR and IOM appreciate Pakistan’s generous hospitality towards Afghan nationals for over four decades, despite challenges,” they said, adding that they “stand ready to provide support in developing a comprehensive and sustainable mechanism to register and manage Afghan nationals, including those who may be in need of international protection”.

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