Refugees and Migrants Media Roundup (September 2022)

Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan (UNICEF) Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan (UNICEF)

Refugees and Migrants Media Roundup (September 2022)

By : Refugees and Migrants Page Media Roundup Editors

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the topic of refugees, migrants, and IDPs and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Refugees and Migrants Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. It is updated monthly. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each month's roundup to info@jadaliyya.com.] 

Migration and displacement crisis in MENA: Responding to the basic needs of people on the move

Since July, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have signed three agreements in the Region with Red Crescent societies: the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the Egyptian Red Crescent, and the Algerian Red Crescent, in an attempt to respond to the needs of refugees and internally displaced persons in the three countries. 

UNHCR Update Libya (6 September 2022)

UNHCR evacuated 101 asylum seekers from Libya safely to Rwanda on the 31st of August. On the 5th of September, 33 were settled in Europe. On the 30th of August, the rehabilitation work of the Al Arab Al Sahra school in the south of Libya was completed. It should help displaced Libyans, asylum seekers and returnees coexist and have better access to local services.

In 2022, over 130 operations by  Libyan Coast Guard (LCG), General Administration of Coastal Security (GACS) and the Libyan Navy have rescued or intercepted 15,303 asylum seekers, migrants and refugees. In the first week of September, 14 rescue operations were held. 

IRC distributed hygiene kits to 20 individuals, UNHCR with WFP food assistance to over 340 households, identified 16 persons who managed to escape human trafficking. IRC provided 149 health consultations, 69 mental consultations, and 38 cases to public and private hospitals.

Libya Smugglers’ abuse of Egyptian migrants, including children, calls for cooperation to combat human trafficking

Tobruk Security in Libya found 287 Egyptian migrants locked in a warehouse south of the city and sent them to the emergency center in preparation to deport them to Egypt. The migrants landed in Libya in an attempt to travel to Italy for work opportunities, but were trapped in a warehouse by smugglers, and were exposed to physical and psychological violence. 

Iraq: Repeated displacement causes trauma among a third of children

As per a report by the Norwegian Refugee Council, one in three children of the internally displaced in Iraq, developed a fear for their safety that stops them from going out of their homes or attending their schools. 

UNHCR Regional Winterization Assistance Plan 2022-2023: Syria and Iraq Situations (September 2022)

UNHCR estimates that 3.5 million internally displaced Iraqis and Syrians are in critical need of assistance for the winter, and UNHCR requires $250 million but have secured only 0.5% of funding compared to 56% last year as of September. 

Jordan: Over 750,000 refugees risk facing a stifling humanitarian crisis due to lack of funding 

UNHCR Jordan is in need of $34 million to cover basic needs of Syrian refugees. Although refugees receive assistance, it is not sufficient to cover basic necessities. The Syrian Crisis Response Plan is declining in fundings in 2022, and that is causing distress for families to provide food and to keep their children at schools. Many families face being evicted.

From severe drought to intense flooding, Yemen teeters on the brink

In 2022, between January to June, Yemen experienced moderate to severe drought. In April and May, it became more extreme. This impacted the humanitarian condition causing malnutrition, food insecurity, and death. It also increased food and water prices and led to forced immigation. By mid-July, rainfall and flooding had impacted several regions in Yemen, and it persisted until the end of August affecting mostly displaced families, causing damage to their property and the infrastructure such as roads and shelter, and excarberating the food insecurity.

Yemen: UNHCR Operational Update, covering the period from 05 to 19 August 2022

UNHCR and its partners assess more than 9,222 families in Sana’a, AlHodayda, Saada and Marib. Partners successfully rehabilitated two wells in Al-Jawf Governorate. UNHCR also conducted a monitoring visit to Marib to check on the distribution of assistance, many families have received it and the remainder of fundings are expected to arrive soon. UNHCR and its partners started a project on paving roads in Marib and connecting it to the main road to address the respiratory risk of dirty roads. 

Six migrants reported dead at sea in central Mediterranean

A mercantile vessel brought 26 Afghan and Syrian migrants to the Italian Coast Guard and reported that six Syrian migrants died of dehydration at the sea, where they left the dead bodies.

Hundreds of Migrants brought on board rescue ships in Mediterranean 

Sea Watch rescued almost 300 immigrants in a few days from the Mediterranean Sea. Immigrants have to wait to be granted permission to arrive safely to Italy or Malta. Many of them had injuries, mostly from Libya. Sea Watch was also looking for a missing boat and communicated with Malta and Italy but received no help with finding it. A Sea Watch representative tweeted “So we have to assume the intention is to let people die at sea”.

Tunisia: Death toll from migrant shipwreck rises to 11

Tunisian Coastguard found 5 dead bodies at Chebba, where 14 other Tunisian immigrants who departed from Sfax region were rescued. The Tunisian coastline became another departure point for Tunisians and others to leave for Europe. In the past months, more departures have increased drowning cases in Tunisia. 

Denmark is closer to sending asylum seekers to Rwanda

Government ministers in Denmark and Rwanda signed a declaration on establishing a program to potentially transfer asylum seekers arriving in Denmark to Rwanda. While the Danish Parliament passed a law to permit asylum receptions beyond Europe, the European Commission noted Denmark had violated EU asylum rules. Critics have regarded Denmark’s asylum and immigration as one of the harshest in Europe. The UK intends to pursue similar plans of asylum transfer in Rwanda. 

Lebanon: Syrian refugee dies after torture in detention, Amnesty calls for civil trial

A Syrian refugee, Bashar Abdel-Saud, was tortured to death at a detention center in Lebanon. The Lebanese called for an investigation by the military courts, however, Amnesty International demands the case to be transferred to a civilian court to ensure transparency. State security responded to the leakage of the photos of his body by saying he was arrested for a fake $50 bill and because he (confessed) he was a member of ISIS before. It is worth mentioning that Bashar is not the first Syrian refugee to be tortured by the Lebanese state security authorities.

Shootings in French migrant camp 

A Iraqi migrant was shot in the head and taken to the hospital due to gun-related violence at an immigration camp in northern France. French security authorities say that violence might be the result of Kurdish smugglers’ threats. Smugglers “settle scores” between each other there. Salam Association’s representative says that smugglers are often migrants themselves who have run out of money and get roped into smuggling.

Syria: Cholera outbreak poses risks to children's health and education

As of September 19, at least 24 people have died from cholera, a water-borne disease, and thousands of people are suspected to have cases. The outbreak is likely due to contaminated water in the Euphrates River. With the return to school, thousands of children in Syria's eastern and northern regions are at risk of cholera. The spread of cholera is furthered by the ongoing water shortages in Syria, resulting from the worst drought in years. Approximately half of the Syrian populace depends on unsafe water to meet daily water needs.

South Sudan: UN experts emphasize monitoring the 2018 Peace Agreement to minimize ongoing violence

Parties to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement for South Sudan signed a two-year extension of the transitional government, delaying elections till 2024. This Peace Agreement involves establishing a Commission on Truth, Reconciliation and Healing, with a consultation process. However, during this process, millions of refugees were excluded. United Nations experts emphasize the necessity of monitoring the peace process to ensure criminal accountability and survivors and refugees in South Sudan are not displaced or harmed.

Israel military raid on West Bank refugee camp

During an Israeli military raid in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, four Palestinians were killed, and 44 were wounded. Israel has been directing numerous nightly raids in the northern West Bank since last spring, and this raid has been marked the deadliest thus far.

In Lebanon, boat tragedy kills 94 but others plan to migrate

A crowded boat of Syrian and Palestinian refugees heading from Lebanon to Europe, has sunk and 94 dead bodies were found at the coast. The Lebanese army announced the detaining of the man who allegedly organized the trip.

UN renews ship inspections off Libya for smuggled migrants

The UN Security Council voted to authorize the renewal of the inspection off the coast of Libya for human trafficking and smugglng of migrants that endangers the lives of migrants. Smuggling operations in the Mediterranean Sea are considered one of the deadliest. 

Czechs launch checks at Slovak border amid migration uptick

Czech republic renewed checks at borders, for an initial period of 10 days, and . 120 illegal migrants were detained, including 9 human smugglers. The Interior Ministry said that checks were implemented after almost 12,000 migrants were detained this year, most of them were Syrians. Many of the migrants haven’t applied to asylum to the country but are seeking to move on to other countries. 

بالصور.. احتراق بعض خيم النازحين في "باجد كندلا" بمحافظة دهوك بالعراق

تسبب حادث حريق يرجح أنه بسبب التماس كهربائي في احتراق 12 مخيمًا لنازحين إيزيديين في كردستان العراق.

مؤسسة فلسطينية تبني مجمعًا سكنيًا لمستوطنين عرب في عفرين الكوردية

بنت مؤسسة وفاء المحسنين الخيرية وحدات سكنية في شمال شرق سوريا للمهجرين العرب ويهدف ذلك لابقائهم في المنطقة، ويذكر أن أهالي المنطقة الأصليين قد هجروا من مناطقهم. 

الحريق رقم 52.. نيران الإهمال تفتك من جديد بمخيمات النازحين في مأرب 

شب حريق آخر في مخيم للنازحين في جنوب مأرب باليمن متلفًا أغراض الأسرة بالكامل، وبذلك يكون الحريق رقم 52 في الست شهور الماضية.

اندلاع حريق في مخيم "هرشم" للنازحين في أربيل

شب حريق في مخيم للنازحين الإيزيديين في اربيل، كردستان العراق، ولم يتم التعرّف على أسبابه.

تدشين توزيع 3 آلاف حقيبة مدرسية مع المستلزمات للنازحين بمخيم الجفينة في مأرب

وزّع مكتب التربية والتعليم 3 آلاف حقائب مدرسية على النازحين في مأرب لتمكين الأهالي من إلحاق أطفالهم بالتعليم دون تحمّل الكثير من الأعباء والمصروفات.

اتهامات ل"العمال الكردستاني" بتجنيد أطفال مخيم عربت.. والحزب ينفي

ترجح بعض الوسائل الإعلامية وجود "أنشطة" لحزب العمال الكردستاني في مخيم عربت المخصص للنازحين الأكراد في إقليم كرستان العراق تبين تجنيد للأطفال لصالح الحزب. ويقول محلل سياسي أن الحزب يستخدم اللاجئين كدروع بشرية لمواجهة الضربات التركية الجوية. بينما نفى ممثّل الحزب ذلك موضحًا بأن زيارات الحزب للمخيم هي زيارات تفقدية فقط وإيصال بعض الخدمات والموارد لهم.

نازحو سوريا يودعون الصيف ويستعدون لمعركة الشتاء

كان فصل الصيف قاسيًا على النازحين في سوريا لانقطاع الكهرباء المتكرر ولانتشار الزواحف والعقارب ويذكر أن حرائق قد شبت في المخيمات وبسبب قلة توافر المياه كان من الصعب اطفاؤها. أما بالنسبة للشتاء فهو فصل يحتاج فيه النازحين لتكيّف من نوع آخر، وبالتالي تكون الفترة ما قبل دخول الشتاء هي أفضل أيام يمكن أن يشهدوها.

الألغام.. شبح يهدد السوريين العائدين لديارهم

موت أربعة أطفال في انفجار بسبب الألغام في بلدة بنش شمال غرب سوريا نهاية أغسطس، وتُعدّ الألغام المزروعة من أخطر ما يحدق باللاجئين العائدين لديارهم رغم توقف المعارك في المدن.

حريق داخل مخيم للنازحين السوريين في الفرزل

في ال15 من سبتمبر التهم حريق ستة خيم في مخيم للنازحين السوريين في البقاع، لبنان، ر وقامت شرطة الدفاع المدني بإخماده.

إصابة 6 نازحين إثر انفجار مقذوف في مخيم اللاجئين بلحج

أصيب 6 من النازحين في مخيم في محافظة لحج جنوب اليمن، إثر مقذوف كان يلعب به طفل. وتسبب الانفجار بإصابات للنازحين من بينهم الطفل، والذين نقلو للمستشفى. ولم تتسبب الإصابات لموت أحدهم. 

عاجل: أولى القوائم بأسماء مئات اللاجئين السوريين الذين سيتم ترحيلهم إلى سورية باتت جاهزة

مصادر إعلامية تصرّح بأن الحكومة استلمت قوائم بأسماء لاجئين سوريين يقال بأنهم عبروا عن رغبتهم في العودة لسوريا وتعتزم الحكومة اللبنانية تيسير ذلك لهم. يذكر أيضًا أن الأمم المتحدة حذرت من ذلك غير أن لبنان أبدى تحفظه على الإبقاء على ملايين السوريين النازحين نظرًا للظروف الاقتصادية القاسية التي يمر بها البلد. 

واشنطن تطالب الدول باستعادة جهادييها من مخيم الهول بسوريا 

دعا مايكل كوريلا، قائد العمليات الأمريكية في الشرق الأوسط، لإعادة الأمريكيين من نساء ورجال من المنضمين لتنظيم داعش والقاطنين في مخيم الهول شمال شرق سوريا، للولايات المتحدة الأمريكية ليتم تأهيلهم ودمجهم في المجتمع. ويقول المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان أن هؤلاء لا يتجاوز عددهم أصابع اليد.

مفوضية اللاجئين: أكثر من 2 مليون شخص من النازحين باليمن لا يملكون مصدر دخل

تشير تقارير الأمم المتحدة أن 55% من أصل 4.3 ملايين نازح في اليمن ليس لهم أي مصدر دخل، ويستأجر 37% من النازحين منازل بينما يعيش 17% في ملاجئ مؤقتة.

مصرع 3 أطفال وإصابة آخرين في تفجير بمخيم توينة للنازحين بالحسكة شمال سوريا 

لقى 3 أطفال مصرعهم وأصيب 3 أشخاص آخرين في مخيم في الحسكة شمال سوريا، إثر انفجار دراجة نارية رُكنت بالقرب منه، وقام بتفجيرها عن بعد أشخاص مجهولين يرجح أنهم تابعين لتنظيم داعش.

أول تحذير من نوعه للسوريين بلبنان.. ستواجهون حربًا ثانية

صرّح بطريرك الموارنة في لبنان قائلًا لللاجئين السوريين: "فرضت عليكم الحرب الأولى.. وإن لم تعودوا إلى منازلكم فأنتم تفرضون على أنفسكم حربًا ثانية" مشيرًا بذلك للأزمة الاقتصادية والمعيشية في لبنان، بالإضافة لتنامي العنصرية والعداء لهم من قبل اللبنانيين. وأضاف: "لا يمكنكم البقاء على حساب لبنان". واعتبر هذا التصريح الأول من نوعه حيث أنه صادر من شخصية ذات منزلة دينية. 

مأرب.. حريق في مخيم للنازحين يلتهم مساكن ونفوق مواشٍ

اندلع حريق في مخيم للنازحين في مأرب تسبب باحتراق مخيمات لثلاث أسر بالكامل، ونفوق 16 رأسًا من الماشية، ويرجّح أن يكون سبب الحريق طبيعة المساكن المبنية من القش والأخشاب، وعدم التعامل بشكل حذر من نيران الطهي داخل المخيمات.

العنصرية والتحريض يدفعان اللاجئين السوريين للهرب من تركيا إلى أوروبا

دعا ناشطون سوريون لمشاركة اللاجئين السوريين المقيمين في تركيا في قافلة النور، التي تهدف لمغادرة اللاجئين السوريين تركيا متوجهين إلى دول الاتحاد الأوروبي وذلك بسبب العنصرية التي يواجهونها في تركيا، إضافة إلى الضغوطات العديدة التي تمارسه الجولة ضدهم منها استخدامها لهم كمرتزقة أو لإحداث أزمة مع اليونان، وفتح باب الهجرة لليونان وإجبارهم على الرحيل لها.

رحلة شتات جديدة.. قوافل تقل لاجئين سوريين في تركيا للوصول إلى أوروبا

مجموعة من اللاجئين السوريين تشكل قافلة لنزوح اللاجئين للاتحاد الأوروبي عبر تطبيق التلغرام الذي من خلاله يدعى اللاجئين لإحضار حاجياتهم والتأهب للرحيل. قال أحدهم أن الدول الأوروبية يجب أن تشارك في هذا العبء، كما يذكر أن تركيا صرحت رسميًا إعادتهم لبلادهم "طوعيًا".

 وفاة مهاجرين سوريين في قارب بالبحر المتوسط

أعلنت المفوضية السامية للأمم المتحدة لشؤون اللاجئين وفاة 6 مهاجرين سوريين منهم طفلين بسبب العطش في رحلتهم للوصول لإيطاليا. وأشارت ممثلة المفوضية أن ال32 شخصًا الذين كانوا على متن القارب في وضع صحي حرج، وأن ال6 الذين ماتوا بينهم رضيع، وطفل ذا 12 عامًا وطفل في عامه الثاني. كما قالت جمعية ألارم فون أن هناك 250 شخصًا عالقًا في مياه مالطا من لبنان نفذ وقودهم. وبحسب منظمة سي ووتش فإن هناك 428 شخصًا بانتظار ميناء يستقبلهم.

ألمانيا تصدر بيانًا عاجلًا بشأن زيادة أعداد اللاجئين 

أعلنت السلطات الألمانية ازدياد ملحوظ في اللاجئين وبالأخص اللاجئين السوريين، ففي يونيو بلغ عدد اللاجئين السوريين 8900 من أصل 71 ألف لاجىء. وأفاد تقرير بأن طلبات اللجوء ارتفعت بنسبة 68% بالمقارنة للعام الماضي. كما تحدث ناشطون سوريون عن نزوح لاجئين من تركيا لأوروبا مؤخرًا. وأعلنت السلطة البلغارية اعتراضها على مقدم عشرات الآلاف من النازحين معظمهم سوريون وأوضحت أن الطلبات ارتفعت مقارنة بالعام السابق أيضًا، كما أشارت لارتفاع أعداد النازحين خصوصًا من الحدود التركية.

مفوضية اللاجئين وصندوق التضامن الإسلامي للتنمية يطلقان الصندوق الإسلامي العالمي للاجئين 

إطلاق الصندوق الإسلامي العالمي للاجئين لتوفير الموارد المالية للاجئين بما يتوافق مع الشريعة الإسلامية، ويستقبل الصندوق تبرعات يتم استثمارها فيما بعد وتستخدم للاستجابة لحاجات النازحين قسريًا.

ارتفاع عدد ضحايا قارب المهاجرين الغارق قرب سواحل سوريا الى 87 شخصا 

غرق قرب كان يحمل ما بين ال120 الى ال150 شخص من اللاجئين السوريين والفلسطينيين المتجهين الى أوروبا، بعد اصطدامه بالبحرية اللبنانية، مخلّفًا 87 من الضحايا، وإنقاذ 20 فيما لا يزال كثيرين من عداد المفقودين. وقد انتشلت السلطات السورية الكثير من الجثامين بالقرب من ساحل طرطوس ونقلت ال20 شخص للمستشفى لتلقّي العلاج.

ألمانيا تعلن عن خطة جديدة لاستقبال لاجئين سوريين 

حسب موقع البوابة الرسمية لبرلين، ألمانيا تخطط لاستقبال 300 لاجيء سوري من لبنان في العام 2023.

نازحون عرب يفضلون البقاء في اقليم كوردستان على العودة لمناطقهم

رغم محاولة الحكومة العراقية لإعادة النازحين العرب الموجودين في إقليم كردستان لمناطقهم، يرفض عدد منهم ذلك لأسباب عدّة منها عدم الشعور بالأمن للعودة، وعدم وجود تمويل كافٍ لهم لترميم بيوتهم هناك.

تدشين توزيع 2500 خيمة للنازحين في عدة مخيمات بمأرب 

إطلاق مشروع توزيع 2500 خيمة للنازحين في عدة مخيمات في مأرب، اليمن.

إحباط محاولة نازحين من الحديدة اختطاف فتاتين من عدن 

قام ثلاثة أشخاص نازحين في محافظة الحديدة باختطاف فتاتين من عدن وأخذهم للمخيم، وبعد أن استطاعت إحداهن من الإفلات، قبضت عليهم قوى الطوارئ وسلمتهم للشرطة. 

150 ألف يمنية تضررن و200 ألف يواجهن مخاطر

مع النقص الشديد في التمويل، تعتبر النساء من أكثر الفئات المتضررة من إيقاف المساعدات في اليمن، وتقول التقارير أن هناك ما يقارب 200 ألف امرأة يمنية متضررة من الفيضانات وتواجه النساء والأطفال مخاطر بعد تدمير البنية التحتية الحيوية بسبب الفيضانات وتدمير ممتلكاتهم الشخصية.

الأمم المتحدة تحذر من كارثة تواجه اللاجئين والنازحين في السودان 

حذرت الأمم المتحدة ممّ يواجه النازحين في السودان من غلاء بسبب التضخم من جهة، أزمة كورونا من جهة أخرى، وحرب روسيا وأوكرانيا من جهة أخرى أيضًا، موضحة أن لذلك عواقب كبيرة على السودان التي تعتبر من أكبر الدول من حيث عدد اللاجئين، مشيرةً إلى أن التضخم يؤثر على السودان كما يؤثر على أحوال اللاجئين أيضًا.

مناشدة إنسانية من المخيمات السورية.. الكوليرا والأوبئة تترصد بالنازحين

اللاجئين السوريين بحاجة لإنشاء منظومة صرف صحي والتخلص من أكوام القمامة التي تهدد صحتهم وتشكل خطر من حيث الأوبئة والأمراض خاصة مع انتشار أمراض مثل الكوليرا وأمراض جلدية وتنفسية.

ألمانيا تعيد لاجئين سوريين إلى التشيك بعد أن عبروا الحدود سيرًا على الأقدام

قبضت الشرطة الألمانية على خمسة لاجئين سوريين قد دخلوا إلى ألمانيا عن طريق التشيك قائلة أنهم دخلوا البلاد بشكل غير قانوني.

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      This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the topic of refugees, migrants, and IDPs and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Refugees and Migrants Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. It is updated monthly. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each month's roundup to info@jadaliyya.com.

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      This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the topic of refugees, migrants, and IDPs and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Refugees and Migrants Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. It is updated monthly. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each month's roundup to info@jadaliyya.com.

Refugees and Migrants Media Roundup (June 2022)

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the topic of refugees, migrants, and IDPs and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Refugees and Migrants Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. It is updated monthly. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each month's roundup to info@jadaliyya.com.] 

Developments 


Libya: 20 Migrants Found Dead in Desert

On 29 June 2022 Libyan authorities reported that the bodies of 20 migrants who were lost in the Libyan desert near Chad were found. According to the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Missing Migrants Project, 5,386 migrant deaths in the Sahara Desert have been reported since 2014

Poland Completes Belarus Border Wall to Keep Migrants out 

After migrants coming from Southwest Asia and Africa started crossing into the European Union (EU) from Belarus to Poland, Poland finished constructing a steel wall on the border area with Belarus to keep migrants out. 

Around 800 Syrians Return from Turkey Weekly, U.N. Refugee Agency Official Says

Although conditions in Syria remain unsafe for return, it is estimated that approximately 800 Syrian refugees return to Syria from Turkey each week.  

Austria: Smuggler Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison after Two Syrians Died in Van

A smuggler has been charged with bodily harm and sentenced to prison after two Syrians suffocated in a van last fall as he attempted to smuggle them to Austria. According to investigations, 30 refugees were locked in one cargo area in inadequate conditions for eight hours without any breaks.  

Greece says 1,130 Migrants Turned Back at Sea

According to Greece’s Coast Guard, it prevented more than a thousand migrants from crossing to its islands from the coast of Turkey after turning back boats in 24 separate incidents involving 1,140 people. At the same time Greece is also backing an initiative by Spain to increase Europe’s engagement with countries in the Middle East and North Africa to further limit migration.  

Palestine: ACLED Regional Overview- Middle East (4-10 June 2022)

Two clashes occurred in the Jenin refugee camp after Israeli forces and a Palestinian gunmen exchanged fire. Jenin refugee camp has experienced increasing attacks over the past couple of months.  

Articles 


Syria Direct: 10 Things to Know about the UK Deal to Deport Asylum Seekers to Rwanda

In April of 2022 the United Kingdom (UK) signed a deal with Rwanda to send asylum seekers to the country where their claim for asylum will be processed. The policy is to apply to all asylum seekers who entered the UK irregularly after 1 January 2022. This controversial policy, which many refugee rights experts argue violates the United Nations (UN) refugee convention, leaves many Syrian asylum seekers a precarious situation. 

Number of Syrians Becoming German Citizens Tripled in 2021

Compared to 2020, the number of Syrians who became naturalized German citizens was three times higher in 2021. Although it is generally held that a person must live in Germany for at least eight years to qualify for citizenship, most Syrians qualified earlier. Qualifying on average after 6.5 years, it is believed that many Syrian refugees were able to naturalize earlier due to their superior language skills and civic commitment. 

Syrians Tortured in Lebanese Detention Centers: A tale of impunity 

A report by the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) found that although Lebanon passed anti-torture legislating and ratified the UN Convention Against Torture, Syrian refugees continue to be subjected to torture by Lebanese authorities. Syrian refugees are one of the most vulnerable groups to torture when detained. Furthermore, the reality that 84 percent of Syrian refugees do not have legal residency, Syrians are also at a high risk for arbitrary detention at checkpoints, increasing their vulnerability to ill-treatment at the hands of authorities. 

Rape, Abuse, Murder: New UN report on Libya Highlights Migrants’ Suffering in Painful Detail

UN investigators revealed that migrants and refugees detained in Libya are subject to serious abuse and sexual violence. According to UN investigations, women endure some of the harshest abuse, in many cases forced to submit to rape in exchange for food. The UN’s latest report reaffirms prior reports indicating the crimes against humanity committed against migrants in Libya.  

Reports


Melilla: Never again

At least 23 people, most of whom came from Sudan, died on 24 June 2022 while attempting to reach the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco. The recent deaths follow a string of similar incidents like the death of 13 people in 2005 at the hands of the Moroccan and Spanish and Moroccan police and the drowning of 15 people on Tarajal Beach. Although Spain welcomed more than 124,000 Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, refugees fleeing Sudan are prevented from seeking asylum, a violation of international law. Following the latest deaths, the migration policies of both the Spanish and Moroccan governments have been called into question and organizations like the African Union (AU) are demanding to know the truth about what happened in Melilla. 

Lithuania: Forced out or Locked Up

After being lured into Belarus under false pretenses in 2021 and 2022, many migrants coming from Southwest Asia and Africa were tortured and or abused. An Amnesty International report details numerous instances of abuse upon entering Belarus, where migrants were initially promised legal and safe access to EU countries. Rather than gaining safe access to EU countries, migrants were pushed into neighboring Lithuania and once in Lithuania were held in crowded detention facilities that lacked access to sufficient food and water. Migrants arriving in Lithuania furthermore experienced violent pushbacks, torture, sexual violence, and were denied access to fair asylum procedures, leading many to return to the countries they originally fled. 

Iraq: Significant Healthcare Needs Remain in Hawija Six Years After Battle with Islamic State Group 

Those who fled Hawija during the control of ISIS remain in dire need of healthcare services. Since 2020, clinics providing free healthcare services run by Doctors Without Borders at camps for people who fled Hawija were closed due to a federal government decision to force families to return to their areas of origin, in some cases causing families to experience secondary displacement. Families returning to their areas of origin often lack access to functioning health services which suffered from shortages in supplies and healthcare workers even before the battle against ISIS. 

Reaching Iraq’s Displaced Children with Essential Vaccines 

Providing healthcare and routine vaccinations to children displaced by conflict is challenging as children often do not have their births registered due to the instability, depriving them of the documentation needed to access health services like vaccinations. In Iraq, UNICEF works with Iraq’s Ministry of Health to ensure that children in camps for the displaced, like Ashti camp, have access to critical immunizations for preventable diseases like polio, measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus. To boost vaccination rates, teams of healthcare workers have gone house-to-house to visit families inside the camps and distribute vaccines.  

UNHCR: Global Refugee Resettlement Needs Will Rise Steeply Next Year 

According to the UNHCR, over 2 million refugees are estimated to be in need of resettlement next year. The highest number of refugees in need of resettlement will come from the African continent, estimated at 662,012, followed by the Middle East, estimated at 463, 930. Broken down by country of origin, Syrian refugees represent the population with the highest global resettlement needs for the seventh consecutive year. 

A Ukrainian Eclipse on Middle Eastern Refugees 

Amidst Russia’s war in Ukraine, attention to the humanitarian attention in the Middle East has faltered. Due to increased funding pressure, refugees from the Middle East have been pushed to the bottom of the list of priorities. Hungary, for example, has already expelled tens of thousands of refugees from Syria and other Middle East countries while simultaneously accepting approximately 60,000 Ukrainian refugees. At the same time, refugees throughout the Middle East are also made more vulnerable due to global increases in food prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the cross-regional implications of Russia’s invasion.  

Out of Sight- Refugees and Migrants at the Belarus-Poland Border

Refugees fleeing Southwest Asia and Africa continue to be trapped in a forested border between Belarus and Poland, left stranded and in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Polish border guards report that there have been 977 attempts to cross the border in April 2022 and approximately 4,280 since the start of 2022. Restricted access for humanitarian aid organizations undermines the health and safety of these trapped refugees.

South Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan- 2021 Year End Report

With 2.33 million South Sudanese refugees living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda, the protracted conflict in South Sudan continues to generate the largest refugee crisis in Africa. In addition to ongoing conflict, the region also faces devastating floods and growing funding gaps, contributing to secondary displacement and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.