refugee updates

Refugee news

Global

Kenya has announced that it will no longer host refugees, citing economic, environmental, and security concerns. Read more: http://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2016/5/5730b5f36/unhcr-appeals-kenya-decision-end-refugee-hosting.html
41,000 asylum seekers in the Netherlands are being housed in former prisons. Read more:http://www.smh.com.au/world/dutch-prisons-offer-asylum-to-refugees-20160518-goxubl.html
14,000 refugees were rescued in the Mediterranean by the Italian coast guard in the last week alone. Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-28/around-14,000-migrants-rescued-off-boats-in-last-week,-un-says/7455610

At Home

Cate Blanchett has been appointed a UNCHR Goodwill Ambassador following a humanitarian mission to Jordan. Read more: http://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2016/5/5727776f6/cate-blanchett-appointed-unhcr-goodwill-ambassador.html
Two Iranian refugees on Nauru have agreed to be transferred to Cambodia, despite the resettlement program’s poor record. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/two-refugees-on-nauru-agree-to-resettle-in-cambodia-reviving-teetering-55m-deal-20160524-gp30gh
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has come under fire for his comments about “illiterate and innumerate” refugees taking Australian jobs. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/peter-dutton-says-illiterate-and-innumerate-refugees-would-take-australian-jobs-20160517-goxhj1.html
Asylum seekers on Manus Island are now free to leave the detention centre, but cannot leave the island unless they consent to be resettled in Papua New Guinea. Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-12/png-authorities-say-manus-refugees-no-longer-in-detention/7407826
A Somali refugee is in intensive care in Brisbane after receiving an emergency caesarean section on Nauru. Read more: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/05/14/refugee-mum-stable-brisbane-hospital-after-nauru-c-section

Refugee news – February 2016

In the news

Global:

On average, two refugee children drown every day attempting to reach Europe. Read more: http://www.unhcr.org/56c707d66.html
Increasing gang violence in El Salvador has led to a dramatic rise in asylum applications in Guatemala, Mexico, and the USA. Read more: http://www.unhcr.org/56b1d54f6.html
NATO will begin surveillance activities to target people smugglers on the Aegean Sea. Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-11/nato-willing-to-support-migrant-naval-operation-in-aegean-us/7161738
Gay rights organisations in Germany will open shelters for LGBT refugees to prevent further discrimination and assaults. Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/german-lgbt-groups-plan-shelters-gay-refugees-amid-attacks-n504496

At home:

The High Court has determined that the offshore processing of refugees is constitutionally valid. Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-03/high-court-throws-out-challenge-to-offshore-detention/7135504
A one year old girl who was badly burned on Nauru will not be released by her doctors at a Brisbane hospital until a “suitable home environment is identified.” Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-12/brisbane-hospital-refuses-to-release-nauru-baby/7165470
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has offered to resettle 37 refugee children who would otherwise be returned to Nauru. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/new-zealand-prime-minister-john-key-opens-door-to-37-asylum-seeker-children-20160215-gmugsb.html
Amnesty International has accused Australia and 29 other countries of violating human rights law by turning away refugees. Read more:http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/02/24/illegal-refugee-returns-top-amnesty-list

In the news

Global:

A record 60 million people are now refugees or otherwise displaced. Read more: http://m.smh.com.au/world/united-nations-worlds-refugees-and-displaced-have-exceeded-record-60-million-20151218-glrdhc.html
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau personally welcomed the first of Canada’s 25,000 strong intake of Syrian refugees. Read more:http://www.unhcr.org/566ad0029.html
A proposed law in Denmark would allow authorities to confiscate valuables from incoming refugees. Read more: http://m.smh.com.au/world/denmark-wants-to-seize-jewellery-and-cash-from-refugees-20151217-glqfmf
Pope Francis has encouraged world leaders to adopt legal reform to be more welcoming of refugees and better integrate them into society. Read more: http://m.smh.com.au/world/pope-francis-urges-review-of-migration-laws-to-welcome-refugees-20151215-gloffv.html

At Home:

Refugees previously assessed as deserving of Australia’s protection fear their applications may be reassessed by the Department of Home Affairs. Read more: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/12/21/refugees-fear-immigration-double-dip-assessment
The Australian government has committed $22m in funding to assist refugees under the age of 25 integrate into society and the Australian economy. Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-17/government-pledges-22m-for-young-refugees/7038534
Queensland town may welcome Syrian refugees to assist economy during mining downturn. Read more: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/11/30/queensland-town-hopes-business-boost-syrian-refugees

Refugee news

In The News

Global

A group of asylum seekers has been transferred from Greece to Luxembourg as part of an EU program to share the responsibility for resettling refugees. Read more: http://www.unhcr.org/563a3c736.html
Barack Obama has rejected the notion that the United States should only welcome Christian refugees in the aftermath of the Paris attacks. Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/17/politics/obama-syria-refugees-paris-attacks/index.html
The United Nations World Food Program has developed an application that allows users to donate money to provide food for refugees in camps in Jordan. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/migrant-crisis/uns-sharethemeal-app-a-chance-to-donate-food-to-refugees-20151112-gky0hh
The UN refugee agency has provided emergency supplies after flooding in Algeria damaged refugee camps that house thousands. Read more: http://www.unhcr.org/563338686.html
A record number of Malian asylum seekers in Niger is putting a financial strain on refugee camps. Read more: http://www.unhcr.org/564200fd1e.html
Over 120,000 people have fled Yemen since April, with 15,000 settling in nearby Djibouti. Read more: http://www.unhcr.org/5643218b6.html

At Home

The first of Australia’s 12,000 person intake of Syrian refugees, a family of five, arrived in Western Australia. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/were-very-very-careful-mps-and-community-groups-reaffirm-support-for-syrian-refugees-after-paris-atrocity-20151117-gl0u99.html
The Australian government may resettle refugees from offshore detention centres to Kyrgyzstan. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/reports-turnbull-government-planning-to-send-refugees-to-kyrgyzstan-20151030-gkninr.html
The Christmas Island detention centre broke out into a riot after an escaped Iranian refugee was found dead at the bottom of a cliff. Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-09/christmas-island-calm-after-stand-off-immigration-department/6922866

In the news

Global

The number of asylum seekers arriving in Greece (a country with approximately 11 million people) by boat this year has now exceeded half a million. Read more: http://www.unhcr.org/56263d536.html
Fifteen arson attacks have been carried out against refugee centres in Sweden this year. Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-21/arsonists-attack-asylum-seeker-centre-in-sweden/6871232
200,000 refugee children will receive free schooling in Lebanon up to year nine. Read more: http://www.unhcr.org/560e96b56.html

At Home

One of the four refugees resettled from Nauru to Cambodia has chosen to return to Myanmar. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/first-failure-of-australias-55-million-cambodia-refugee-plan-20151016-gkb42q
The Australian government is developing a deal to resettle refugees in the Philippines. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/coalition-government-in-talks-to-resettle-refugees-in-the-philippines-20151008-gk4u5m.html
Doctors at the Royal Children’s Hospital have said they will not release refugee children back to detention. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/royal-childrens-hospital-doctors-refuse-to-return-children-to-detention-20151010-gk63xm.html

refugee updates

Global

At Home

In The News

Footer

Our Supporters