The United Nations on Sunday appealed for more humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees pouring into neighbouring countries, where they are overwhelming social services and reportedly sparking local tensions.

UN High Commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, had planned to visit the Brazilian town of Pacaraima this weekend, but authorities reportedly advised him to cancel the trip amid fears of protests by residents who are unhappy with the arrival of more than 500 Venezuelans each day.

Last week, the residents of Pacaraima closed shops and marched through the streets, raising slogans such as "Out with the Venezuelans", "Pacaraima is ours", "Out with the UN", and "Brazil for Brazilians".

Grandi said financial institutions such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank have been engaged, but they need to speed up their help to help sustain health and education systems, Al Jazeera reported.

The UNHCR, in a report, estimated that around 4.3 million Venezuelans fled economic and political turmoil in their country, mainly to Colombia, Peru, Chile and Ecuador. Around 180,000 are also staying in Brazil.

In June, the Organisation of American States said that the Venezuelan exodus may exceed eight million people by the end of next year, which would make it the largest migration crisis in the world.&nbsp;

The group's projection puts the exodus between 7.5 million and 8.2 million in 2020, far surpassing the 6.7 million people who have fled war-torn Syria in eight years.&nbsp;

Grandi said there were signs of anti-immigrant sentiment spreading across the region, reflected in mounting restrictions on the movement of Venezuelans in Andean countries. Venezuela plunged into a political and economic crisis in January after opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself as the country's interim president amid throngs of cheering supporters who called for the resignation of legitimate President Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;

The US immediately extended its support to Guaido, followed by nations like Canada and Britain.&nbsp;

However, countries like Russia and China have backed Maduro and slammed the US for its external interference in Venezuela.

Since then, Washington has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Maduro government in support of Guaido.

The United Nations on Sunday appealed for more humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees pouring into neighbouring countries, where they are overwhelming social services and reportedly sparking local tensions.

The United Nations on Sunday appealed for more humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees pouring into neighbouring countries, where they are overwhelming social services and reportedly sparking local tensions. UN High Commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, had planned to visit the Brazilian town of Pacaraima this weekend, but authorities reportedly advised him to cancel the trip amid fears of protests by residents who are unhappy with the arrival of more than 500 Venezuelans each day. Last week, the residents of Pacaraima closed shops and marched through the streets, raising slogans such as "Out with the Venezuelans", "Pacaraima is ours", "Out with the UN", and "Brazil for Brazilians". Grandi said financial institutions such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank have been engaged, but they need to speed up their help to help sustain health and education systems, Al Jazeera reported. The UNHCR, in a report, estimated that around 4.3 million Venezuelans fled economic and political turmoil in their country, mainly to Colombia, Peru, Chile and Ecuador. Around 180,000 are also staying in Brazil. In June, the Organisation of American States said that the Venezuelan exodus may exceed eight million people by the end of next year, which would make it the largest migration crisis in the world. The group's projection puts the exodus between 7.5 million and 8.2 million in 2020, far surpassing the 6.7 million people who have fled war-torn Syria in eight years. Grandi said there were signs of anti-immigrant sentiment spreading across the region, reflected in mounting restrictions on the movement of Venezuelans in Andean countries. Venezuela plunged into a political and economic crisis in January after opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself as the country's interim president amid throngs of cheering supporters who called for the resignation of legitimate President Nicolas Maduro. The US immediately extended its support to Guaido, followed by nations like Canada and Britain. However, countries like Russia and China have backed Maduro and slammed the US for its external interference in Venezuela. Since then, Washington has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Maduro government in support of Guaido.

United Nations appeals for more help to alleviate Venezuela refugee crisis

More than 70 million people were counted last year as displaced from their homes, a record that underestimates the real number of refugees and asylum seekers, the UN said Wednesday.&nbsp;

In its annual global trends report, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) described the figure of 70.8 million at the end of 2018 as "conservative", particularly because the number of people who fled Venezuela's devastating crisis is undercounted.&nbsp;

At the end of 2017, by comparison, 68.5 million people were counted as being forcibly displaced by violence or persecution.

The UNHCR attributed the increase partly to surging displacement in Ethiopia caused by inter-ethnic conflict, and in Venezuela, where thousands are fleeing every day amid an economic collapse that has triggered shortages of basic food and medicine.

An estimated 3.3 million people have left Venezuela since the start of 2016, according to the UN.&nbsp;

UNHCR head Filippo Grandi told reporters in Geneva the figure of 70.8 million only includes Venezuelans who had officially applied for asylum -- roughly half a million people.

Overall, the number of displaced people in the world has doubled over the last 20 years and now exceeds the population of Thailand.&nbsp;

The trend, Grandi said, continues to go in "the wrong direction".

Conflicts 'Never' End

According to Amnesty International, a refugee is a person who flees their home country and cannot or will not return due to conflict or fear of persecution.

The report lists 41.3 million internally displaced people (IDPs), 25.9 million refugees, and 3.5 million asylum seekers -- those awaiting a decision on their bid for official refugee protection.

The countries with the most internally displaced people -- fleeing within their own countries -- are Syria, wracked by conflict since 2011 and Colombia, plagued by decades of violence, said the UNHCR.

The group of refugees, it added, included 5.5 million Palestinians scattered across several countries, notably Lebanon and Jordan.&nbsp;

The best solution for a refugee is to be able to return home once their country stabilises, but Grandi noted that 20 per cent have been in exile for more than two decades.&nbsp;

"We have become almost unable to make peace," the UNHCR chief said.&nbsp;

"It is true there are new conflicts, new situations producing refugees..., (but) the old ones never get resolved," he added. "When is the last conflict that you remember was resolved?"

&nbsp;'Praise' for Germany&nbsp;

The UNHCR has at times sought to push back against the phrase "migrant crisis", especially as it has been applied to an influx of people into Europe via the Mediterranean sea.

The agency has argued that while mass migration does pose serious challenges, it can be managed, particularly by wealthier nations.&nbsp;

Grandi praised Germany for its acceptance of migrants and its efforts to "demystify" the notion that migration is unmanageable, "even when the numbers are very big."

"I usually don't like to praise and criticise but I think in this case, I'd like to praise Germany for what it has done," said Grandi in Geneva, ahead of the report's launch in Berlin.&nbsp;

He noted that Chancellor Angela Merkel had paid a "heavy price" politically for her openness to migration, arguing this made her actions "even more courageous".

More than 70 million people were counted last year as displaced from their homes, a record that underestimates the real number of refugees and asylum seekers, the UN said Wednesday.

More than 70 million people were counted last year as displaced from their homes, a record that underestimates the real number of refugees and asylum seekers, the UN said Wednesday. In its annual global trends report, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) described the figure of 70.8 million at the end of 2018 as "conservative", particularly because the number of people who fled Venezuela's devastating crisis is undercounted. At the end of 2017, by comparison, 68.5 million people were counted as being forcibly displaced by violence or persecution. The UNHCR attributed the increase partly to surging displacement in Ethiopia caused by inter-ethnic conflict, and in Venezuela, where thousands are fleeing every day amid an economic collapse that has triggered shortages of basic food and medicine. An estimated 3.3 million people have left Venezuela since the start of 2016, according to the UN. UNHCR head Filippo Grandi told reporters in Geneva the figure of 70.8 million only includes Venezuelans who had officially applied for asylum -- roughly half a million people. Overall, the number of displaced people in the world has doubled over the last 20 years and now exceeds the population of Thailand. The trend, Grandi said, continues to go in "the wrong direction". Conflicts 'Never' End According to Amnesty International, a refugee is a person who flees their home country and cannot or will not return due to conflict or fear of persecution. The report lists 41.3 million internally displaced people (IDPs), 25.9 million refugees, and 3.5 million asylum seekers -- those awaiting a decision on their bid for official refugee protection. The countries with the most internally displaced people -- fleeing within their own countries -- are Syria, wracked by conflict since 2011 and Colombia, plagued by decades of violence, said the UNHCR. The group of refugees, it added, included 5.5 million Palestinians scattered across several countries, notably Lebanon and Jordan. The best solution for a refugee is to be able to return home once their country stabilises, but Grandi noted that 20 per cent have been in exile for more than two decades. "We have become almost unable to make peace," the UNHCR chief said. "It is true there are new conflicts, new situations producing refugees..., (but) the old ones never get resolved," he added. "When is the last conflict that you remember was resolved?" 'Praise' for Germany The UNHCR has at times sought to push back against the phrase "migrant crisis", especially as it has been applied to an influx of people into Europe via the Mediterranean sea. The agency has argued that while mass migration does pose serious challenges, it can be managed, particularly by wealthier nations. Grandi praised Germany for its acceptance of migrants and its efforts to "demystify" the notion that migration is unmanageable, "even when the numbers are very big." "I usually don't like to praise and criticise but I think in this case, I'd like to praise Germany for what it has done," said Grandi in Geneva, ahead of the report's launch in Berlin. He noted that Chancellor Angela Merkel had paid a "heavy price" politically for her openness to migration, arguing this made her actions "even more courageous".

Record 70.8 million people displaced at end of 2018: UN

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, 10th March, 2019

More than 2000 immigrants have died while crossing the Mediterranean this year, according to the United Nations. While the overall number has dipped to pre-2014 levels, but the refugee flows into Europe and elsewhere continues unabated.

It may be pointed out here that it was the multiples crisis in the Middle East, especially in Syria, that caused a spurt in refugee flows to the West. These flows not only caused various fissures and strains within Europe but also appear to have occluded “mainstream’” political parties in the region. ( The most intense stress was and is in Germany which, under Angela Merkel, graciously and generously accepted hundreds and thousands of refugees from the Middle East). 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
With the advent of populism and its variant of politics in Europe and elsewhere, the screws have been and are being tightened. &nbsp;While refugee flows will not stop for an assorted set of reasons, but the reaction to these is all set to grow. The question then is: what can be done about these flows? Is there a humanitarian complement policy to deal with these flows? 
&nbsp; 
The answer is multipronged but a few salient strands stand out. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
The convention informing the policies to deal with refugee flows is somewhat passé. In the least, it needs to be tweaked, to deal with the 21st century realities. 
&nbsp; 
But, perhaps more important is to understand the nature of refugee flows into the developed world. Often times, or even invariably, refugees choose to put their lives at risk and venture into the developed world, braving and battling great odds and risk, to either flee from life-threatening conflicts, persecution in home countries and to seek the “good” life. All these are legitimate quests. But, the problems in the host countries are usually two-fold: one is the reaction of the natives, who either fear being “swamped” by “strange” and “different” cultures &nbsp;and feel threatened economically by the new arrivals, who, more often than not stress the welfare systems and public finances of host countries. The absorptive capacities of states are also taxed in the process. 
&nbsp; 
Given these issues, what then might constitute as an “appropriate” response to deal with refugee flows? 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
The answer is as old-fas but potentially effective as it goes. 
&nbsp; 
It is in economic development and conflict resolution of and in states&nbsp;where usually refugees come from. It stands to reason to posit that very few people in the world would like to be “rootless” and move from societies, states and locales where they are from to “strange” and different ones. It takes a leap of imagination to do so and is, generally, an emotionally searing experience. But, conditions are such in their places of origin, that most refugees have no choice but are compelled to move. Prudence then suggests to actually sort out the “problem” at the source. That is, create propitious economic conditions at the respective homes of potential refugees and resolve political conflicts. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
The former would mean freer trade, embedding moribund economies into the sinews of the global economy and the latter expending political capital by way of resolving violent conflicts. If these approaches are reified and translated into reality, the “problem” to a large extent will be obviated. But, a caveat is in order here. Even if these approaches are picture perfect, so to speak, refugee flows will not entirely dry up. But, they will be reduced to such an extent that the flows thereof can be absorbed reasonably by recipient states and societies. 
&nbsp; 
In trade-induced economic growth and development and conflict resolution, then lie the antidotes to massive refugee flows. 
 
In the final analysis, refugees are human and the issues they poses must not be politicised or milked for political gain.&nbsp;

The challenges presented by refugee flows fall in the domain of humanitarian ones. The response should fall in and under the rubric of effective, generous and efficient policies where cooperation between states is essential. While there are legal bindings on states to accept a certain threshold of refugees, but the larger issue should be cast and framed in a larger moral and ethical framework. This does not mean a squishy or a merely sentimental response.

But, what it calls for is "hard heads and soft hearts”. Let then states and societies across the developed world review their assumptions and policies about refugees and flows thereof, design and devise policies that are not only win-win but which also redound to the greater good and welfare of peoples across the world.

&nbsp; 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

More than 2000 immigrants have died while crossing the Mediterranean this year, according to the United Nations. While the overall number has dipped to pre-2014 levels, but the refugee flows into Europe and elsewhere continues unabated.

More than 2000 immigrants have died while crossing the Mediterranean this year, according to the United Nations. While the overall number has dipped to pre-2014 levels, but the refugee flows into Europe and elsewhere continues unabated. It may be pointed out here that it was the multiples crisis in the Middle East, especially in Syria, that caused a spurt in refugee flows to the West. These flows not only caused various fissures and strains within Europe but also appear to have occluded “mainstream’” political parties in the region. ( The most intense stress was and is in Germany which, under Angela Merkel, graciously and generously accepted hundreds and thousands of refugees from the Middle East). With the advent of populism and its variant of politics in Europe and elsewhere, the screws have been and are being tightened. While refugee flows will not stop for an assorted set of reasons, but the reaction to these is all set to grow. The question then is: what can be done about these flows? Is there a humanitarian complement policy to deal with these flows? The answer is multipronged but a few salient strands stand out. The convention informing the policies to deal with refugee flows is somewhat passé. In the least, it needs to be tweaked, to deal with the 21st century realities. But, perhaps more important is to understand the nature of refugee flows into the developed world. Often times, or even invariably, refugees choose to put their lives at risk and venture into the developed world, braving and battling great odds and risk, to either flee from life-threatening conflicts, persecution in home countries and to seek the “good” life. All these are legitimate quests. But, the problems in the host countries are usually two-fold: one is the reaction of the natives, who either fear being “swamped” by “strange” and “different” cultures and feel threatened economically by the new arrivals, who, more often than not stress the welfare systems and public finances of host countries. The absorptive capacities of states are also taxed in the process. Given these issues, what then might constitute as an “appropriate” response to deal with refugee flows? The answer is as old-fas but potentially effective as it goes. It is in economic development and conflict resolution of and in states where usually refugees come from. It stands to reason to posit that very few people in the world would like to be “rootless” and move from societies, states and locales where they are from to “strange” and different ones. It takes a leap of imagination to do so and is, generally, an emotionally searing experience. But, conditions are such in their places of origin, that most refugees have no choice but are compelled to move. Prudence then suggests to actually sort out the “problem” at the source. That is, create propitious economic conditions at the respective homes of potential refugees and resolve political conflicts. The former would mean freer trade, embedding moribund economies into the sinews of the global economy and the latter expending political capital by way of resolving violent conflicts. If these approaches are reified and translated into reality, the “problem” to a large extent will be obviated. But, a caveat is in order here. Even if these approaches are picture perfect, so to speak, refugee flows will not entirely dry up. But, they will be reduced to such an extent that the flows thereof can be absorbed reasonably by recipient states and societies. In trade-induced economic growth and development and conflict resolution, then lie the antidotes to massive refugee flows. In the final analysis, refugees are human and the issues they poses must not be politicised or milked for political gain. The challenges presented by refugee flows fall in the domain of humanitarian ones. The response should fall in and under the rubric of effective, generous and efficient policies where cooperation between states is essential. While there are legal bindings on states to accept a certain threshold of refugees, but the larger issue should be cast and framed in a larger moral and ethical framework. This does not mean a squishy or a merely sentimental response. But, what it calls for is "hard heads and soft hearts”. Let then states and societies across the developed world review their assumptions and policies about refugees and flows thereof, design and devise policies that are not only win-win but which also redound to the greater good and welfare of peoples across the world. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The refugee challenge is real but policy lags behind

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised to help the more than 300,000 &shy;Rohingya who have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh in recent weeks but has urged the Myanmar government &ldquo;to take their nationals back&rdquo;. 
 
&ldquo;We have the ability to feed 160 million people of Bangladesh and we have enough food security to feed the 700,000 refugees,&rdquo; Hasina said after visiting a new refugee camp, The Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Ukhiya, Cox&rsquo;s Bazar, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.banglatribune.com/country/news/242295/%E0%A7%AD-%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%96-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6-%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%93%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87" target="_blank">Bangla&nbsp;Tribune</a>&nbsp;reported.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Does the Myanmar government not have a conscience? How can they displace hundreds or thousands of people because of a few?&#39;</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Does the Myanmar government not have a conscience? How can they displace hundreds or thousands of people because of a few?'" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

&ldquo;We have let the Rohingya in on humanitarian grounds and I ask the people of this country to help ease their suffering in whatever way they can,&rdquo; she said after distributing aid&nbsp;at the camp.

Urging action against Myanmar, Hasina said, &ldquo;I ask the international community to put pressure on the Myanmar government to take back their nationals.

&ldquo;Bangladesh wants to maintain peace and good relations with its neighbouring countries, but it cannot accept unjust acts of the Myanmar government. We will do all we can to ease the suffering of the Rohingya refugees.&rdquo;

She expressed&nbsp;disappointment at the government of Myanmar &ldquo;Does the Myanmar government not have a conscience? How can they displace hundreds or thousands of people because of a few?&rdquo;

Hasina also instructed local authorities to make certain the refugees who need it are given medical aid.

As many as 370,000 Rohingya have flooded into Bangladesh since August 25, when Myanmar&rsquo;s military responded to an insurgent attack with what has since been called a &quot;progrom&quot; or genocide against the&nbsp;Rohingya.&nbsp;

As many as 370,000 Rohingya refugees have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh in recent weeks, adding to the 300,000 already there

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised to help the more than 300,000 Rohingya who have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh in recent weeks but has urged the Myanmar government “to take their nationals back”. “We have the ability to feed 160 million people of Bangladesh and we have enough food security to feed the 700,000 refugees,” Hasina said after visiting a new refugee camp, The Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, the Bangla Tribune reported. Does the Myanmar government not have a conscience? How can they displace hundreds or thousands of people because of a few?' × “We have let the Rohingya in on humanitarian grounds and I ask the people of this country to help ease their suffering in whatever way they can,” she said after distributing aid at the camp. Urging action against Myanmar, Hasina said, “I ask the international community to put pressure on the Myanmar government to take back their nationals. “Bangladesh wants to maintain peace and good relations with its neighbouring countries, but it cannot accept unjust acts of the Myanmar government. We will do all we can to ease the suffering of the Rohingya refugees.” She expressed disappointment at the government of Myanmar “Does the Myanmar government not have a conscience? How can they displace hundreds or thousands of people because of a few?” Hasina also instructed local authorities to make certain the refugees who need it are given medical aid. As many as 370,000 Rohingya have flooded into Bangladesh since August 25, when Myanmar’s military responded to an insurgent attack with what has since been called a "progrom" or genocide against the Rohingya.

We can feed 160 million Bangladeshis, we can feed 700,000 Rohingya: Bangladesh PM Hasina

Sweden is set to deport a blind, 106-year-old Afghan refugee. 
 
Bibikhal Uzbek is believed to be the oldest asylum seeker of the world. 
 
In 2015, she along with her son and grand children, traveled through the mountainous paths from Kunduz via Iran and Turkey to seek refuge in Europe. 
 
Her application for asylum was denied by the Swedish migration agency and she is now instructed to return to Afghanistan.&nbsp; 
 
Uzbek is just two weeks short from turning 107. On hearing the news of application rejection, she had a stroke and is now bedridden--unable to see, speak or walk. 
 
The agency claims that the family&#39;s hometown, Kunduz is entirely safe for the family to return. 
 
Heavy clashes between Afghan security forces and the Taliban cause massive unrest in the area. 
 
The family claims that she is not in physically fit to travel back to Afghanistan. They have filed an appeal for her to stay in Sweden to live out the final period of her life.&nbsp; 
 
In the recent past, Sweden&#39;s Asylum Agency drew criticism for testing religious knowledge of converted Christian asylum seekers. 
 
In 2016, more than 4500 refugees withdrew applications and left the country, major factors being lengthy processes, rigorous rules, and difficulty in employment.

On hearing the news of application rejection, she had a stroke and is now bedridden--unable to see, speak or walk

Sweden is set to deport a blind, 106-year-old Afghan refugee. Bibikhal Uzbek is believed to be the oldest asylum seeker of the world. In 2015, she along with her son and grand children, traveled through the mountainous paths from Kunduz via Iran and Turkey to seek refuge in Europe. Her application for asylum was denied by the Swedish migration agency and she is now instructed to return to Afghanistan. Uzbek is just two weeks short from turning 107. On hearing the news of application rejection, she had a stroke and is now bedridden--unable to see, speak or walk. The agency claims that the family's hometown, Kunduz is entirely safe for the family to return. Heavy clashes between Afghan security forces and the Taliban cause massive unrest in the area. The family claims that she is not in physically fit to travel back to Afghanistan. They have filed an appeal for her to stay in Sweden to live out the final period of her life. In the recent past, Sweden's Asylum Agency drew criticism for testing religious knowledge of converted Christian asylum seekers. In 2016, more than 4500 refugees withdrew applications and left the country, major factors being lengthy processes, rigorous rules, and difficulty in employment.

Sweden to deport 106-year-old blind Afghan refugee

Afrooz* lives in a compact 1-BHK (bedroom, kitchen, hall) apartment in one of south Delhi&#39;s sprawling urban villages, Khirkee Extension. She shares the space with nine other family&nbsp;members. Something permeates the air in the living room &mdash; rotting yogurt and fermented rice. She offers&nbsp;me naan (Afghani flatbread) and Qorma &mdash; especially made for me. Ten others sit for the meal with me, but we eat in silence. A palpable sadness floats around us.

In 1994, when Afrooz was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, her middle class family could not afford luxuries, but they had a good life. Her family could afford a good education for the children, owned a decent house, two cars and had a regular income.

What could go wrong? Probably nothing. But everything did.

&quot;War and unrest dawned upon our lives. I could hear continuous gunfire echoes from outside the house. My classmate was shot in a market during the daytime. Another friend was kidnapped and never seen again. Terror was in the air but I only felt numb.&nbsp;I had no clue why it was happening. I had started getting accustomed to the&nbsp;smell of gunpowder and the sight of blood.&nbsp;One day, dacoits entered our house. In my heart, I knew this was the end of us. My mother shushed us. The women hid in cupboards and under the beds. It turned out they weren&rsquo;t dacoits, but they came with a warning. &#39;Leave before they come for you&#39; they said. I knew it was the Taliban. The question in my mind was &mdash; why us? We have never hurt anyone.&quot;

Afrooz&#39;s faith it turned out disqualified her from claiming the land of her birth and that of her forefathers her homeland. Her family are followers of the Bahai religion &mdash; considered unfit for the Islamic state.

&quot;I loved my country, my hometown, my house, my room. I miss everything I left behind. But we were lucky enough to get a new start in India unlike the thousands still stuck in the terrors of the war. There was hope for a better, brighter future. We had heard stories about the greatness of India &mdash; a&nbsp;generous land that embraces many cultures.&quot;

Afrooz and 10 members of her family made their way into India in batches, entering the country on medical, and tourist visas. India allows people to migrate without prior permissions if their lives are in danger.

From 15,917 Afghan refugees residing in India in 1998 to the 10,340 currently in India, Afghans fleeing war and persecution have found themselves safe and welcome here.

&quot;India abides by Article 31 of the Refugee Convention&nbsp;which permits the treatment of refugees. It exempts them from penalties for illegal entry&nbsp;when they come directly from a territory where their life or freedom was threatened.&nbsp;However, there is no law concerning refugees in the country. Their status is governed by guidelines stated under Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939.&nbsp;Although India is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees and 1967 Protocol, it has followed a very liberal refugee policy which adheres to the underlying principles of international refugee law,&quot; lawyer Yateesh Begoore Shivaswamy, told WION.

&nbsp;

Stay in India: In safety, but without jobs&nbsp;

Afrooz has been in India for five years now. &quot;People are extremely warm and helpful. However, our problems are countless. Indian government does not have laws for refugees. We are at the mercy of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). A refugee card issued by the organisation is our only identity proof. False promises (by UNHCR) of education, employment, income, health-care facilities were made to be broken. We are not eligible to even buy a sim card, forget about a bank account. My father is the only bread-earner of the family &mdash; he works in a bakery for Rupees 8000 a month. He has to support a nine-member family. The demonetisation period was tortuous. We are financially dependent on my uncle who sends money from Germany to supplement our family income. What if he decides to stop some day? What will we do then?&quot;

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/untitled%20design%20(2)-20170319020200.png" />
<div class="media-description">
Refugee Card issues by UNHCR is valid for two years. It is not useful to get a SIM card or bank account (WION)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

As refugees, they are not eligible for formal education or employment unless they have a long-term visa.

<meta charset="utf-8" />

&quot;Promises were made but never fulfilled. Some Afghanis who have been in India for two years still don&rsquo;t have refugee cards. They promise us unskilled jobs. UNHCR pays beauty parlours to train us, but we never get jobs.&quot;

As time passed things kept getting worse instead of improving.

&quot;My sister was called in for an interview in Dilshad Garden (a neighbourhood in east Delhi) set up by the UNHCR. When she reached the venue, a strange man with possibly bad intentions waited for her in a dark room with strange lighting and music. She had to run. Saying that we live a poor, below dignity life is&nbsp;an understatement. I am a citizen... of this planet. I hate being called a refugee. I hate not having a home,&quot; she said, her eyes welling up.

India is on the verge of&nbsp;granting citizenship to Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan who have sought refuge from religious persecution.&nbsp;

&quot;They are granting citizenship to persecuted Hindus. We as Muslims do not feel very welcomed. The Indian government doesn&#39;t take care of us.&quot; said Aman Zaidi, 30, who fled Afghanistan in hope of a better future for his sons. He has taught himself the languages spoken locally (Hindi and English) and now works as an interpreter for Afghan medical tourists at hospitals.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Chaos, hope, fresh starts

In spite of the ongoing social and political mayhem, the community has been able to make space for itself. The refugees that landed in India earlier watch out for the new arrivals. Afrooz&#39;s father got a house and job through another Sikh refugee from Afghanistan.

In a back alley of Lajpat Nagar, a sprawling market area in south Delhi, is Afghan Market or Kabul street. Shop boards in Dari transcript, modest looking restaurants with fancy interiors, separate seating areas for men and women, playlists of Hindi, English and Pashto songs, general stores with supplies from United Arab Emirates (UAE), scent of Kabuli pulao - the place is a safe haven for Afghan refugees.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/untitled%20design-20170319014840.png" />
<div class="media-description">
Shops in Lajpat Nagar&#39;s Afghan market have signboards in English and Dari language (WION)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

Naseem manages a street-vend of Afghani snacks. He offered me to try Bolani Gandana (a stuffed, deep fried bread). A tentative attempt to initiate a conversation revealed that Naseem was a rather garrulous man who had landed in India just a month ago. &quot;I have a friend who has taken refuge here. He runs a restaurant&nbsp;and is helping me financially. The situation in Afghanistan is horrible. Here&nbsp;I am able to earn twice the amount I used to earlier working as a cook. I plan to bring my entire family over.&quot;&nbsp; 
&quot;I love India. I have been a fan of Bollywood movies,&quot; he explained his ease in Hindi by telling this reporter about his love for Hindi films and actor Ajay Devgan.&nbsp;

Naseem then insisted that I visit his friend&#39;s restaurant and have lunch there &mdash; typical of the largesse of his people.

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/untitled%20design%20(1)-20170319015729.png" />
<div class="media-description">
Naseem makes a decent living through a street-stall of Afghani snacks. He wants to bring his family to India soon (WION)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

Twenty-year-old Ahmed arrived in India recently. His employer warned him to be careful with strangers. The shy young&nbsp;man took a while to open up.&nbsp;&quot;I don&#39;t have a refugee card,&quot; he said&nbsp;while cooking bread in the clay oven of a small eatery.

He hopes to start a new life here. &quot;I come from Mazar-e-Sharif. A guy helped me escape. My family is still there. We all couldn&#39;t afford to come, so they sent me. I would want to see them again, but I don&#39;t want to go back to Afghanistan. It is terrifying to even think about it. I hope I can do enough to call them here,&quot; he smiled.&nbsp;

Young or old, there is one common strain in all conversations &mdash; the luxury of a sound night&#39;s sleep without the fear of mortars and bombs tearing into homes.

&quot;My hometown was beautiful.&nbsp;I have grown up admiring the natural &nbsp;beauty around me. But things got out of control there. You can die any moment. Delhi&nbsp;is very crowded and they blare horns too loudly. But at least I can sleep without worrying at night. In other countries, they start firing on refugee boats. India has given us a home to live. We might not be citizens, but this is now our home,&quot;&nbsp;60-year old Hameed told WION.

Others headed back to India because it was their natural home. When the Sikh community found itself under attack by the Taliban, many of them made a long and arduous journey to the land of their forefather.&nbsp;Harmeet Chhabra, now a&nbsp;naturalised Indian citizen, came to India 24 years ago. &quot;Our shop in Kabul was looted. We travelled on foot for 10 days in a group of 50. Our shop was raided and several friends and their families were killed. We did not know anyone in India. Initially, we took refuge in the Golden Temple in &nbsp;Amritsar. It has been a long journey.&quot; Today, Chhabra runs a chemist store in Delhi.

Today the community finds shelter for some and homes for others in Delhi neighbourhooda like Lajpat Nagar, Bhogal,&nbsp;Saket, Tilak Nagar and Wazirabad. Wazirabad is where most Hindu and&nbsp;Sikh Afghans have settled down, driven from their homeland in 1991 by the Afghan Mujahideen during the rule of Mohammad Najibullah which were the early days of the Taliban.

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/untitled%20design%20(3)-20170319022336.png" />
<div class="media-description">
From a place away from home, the Afghan refugees use their culinary skills to build new lives for themselves (WION)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

What the law says

In terms of international obligations, as a consequence of its accession to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Government of India has some obligations towards the economic status of refugees. The Covenant guarantees everyone&rsquo;s &ndash; including refugees&rsquo; &ndash; right to work. However, it may be noted that the Covenant provides a caveat wherein &ldquo;developing countries, with due regard to human rights and their national economy, may determine to what extent they would guarantee the economic rights&quot;.

&quot;Refugees who fled their home country in fear of genuine threats are eligible for Long Term Visa (LTV). A refugee holding a long term visa is permitted to take up employment in the private sector or undertake studies in any academic institution.&quot; Shivaswamy added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Equal status for all refugees?

The feasibility of legislation, however, remains a political question and whether Parliament would see fit to enact such legislation is hard to surmise. The &lsquo;Asylum Bill 2015&rsquo; introduced in the Lok Sabha by MP Shashi Tharoor proposes fair treatment and just manner consistent with the guarantees of equality, fairness and due process of law for all refugees.

The procedure of determining who qualifies as a refugee is unsure. While the government decides refugee status for fugitives from regions like Sri Lanka and Tibet, refugees from other regions need to approach UNHCR office. This has given rise to an inconsistent approach towards different nationalities, and an asylum policy that, on the whole, lacks uniformity.

The community also claims discrimination and partiality when it comes to issuing refugee cards among refugees of different nationalities.

&quot;All refugees are not treated equally by the UNHCR. It is way easier for other communities to get basic documentation,&quot; Afrooz&#39;s brother, Faraz said.

Clearly, there are loopholes in the system to implement policies in the&nbsp;interest of refugees.

*Some names have been changed to protect identity

(WION)

India provides a safe haven to Afghans escaping war in their country, but this New Year they dream of work, study opportunity

Afrooz* lives in a compact 1-BHK (bedroom, kitchen, hall) apartment in one of south Delhi's sprawling urban villages, Khirkee Extension. She shares the space with nine other family members. Something permeates the air in the living room — rotting yogurt and fermented rice. She offers me naan (Afghani flatbread) and Qorma — especially made for me. Ten others sit for the meal with me, but we eat in silence. A palpable sadness floats around us. In 1994, when Afrooz was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, her middle class family could not afford luxuries, but they had a good life. Her family could afford a good education for the children, owned a decent house, two cars and had a regular income. What could go wrong? Probably nothing. But everything did. "War and unrest dawned upon our lives. I could hear continuous gunfire echoes from outside the house. My classmate was shot in a market during the daytime. Another friend was kidnapped and never seen again. Terror was in the air but I only felt numb. I had no clue why it was happening. I had started getting accustomed to the smell of gunpowder and the sight of blood. One day, dacoits entered our house. In my heart, I knew this was the end of us. My mother shushed us. The women hid in cupboards and under the beds. It turned out they weren’t dacoits, but they came with a warning. 'Leave before they come for you' they said. I knew it was the Taliban. The question in my mind was — why us? We have never hurt anyone." Afrooz's faith it turned out disqualified her from claiming the land of her birth and that of her forefathers her homeland. Her family are followers of the Bahai religion — considered unfit for the Islamic state. "I loved my country, my hometown, my house, my room. I miss everything I left behind. But we were lucky enough to get a new start in India unlike the thousands still stuck in the terrors of the war. There was hope for a better, brighter future. We had heard stories about the greatness of India — a generous land that embraces many cultures." Afrooz and 10 members of her family made their way into India in batches, entering the country on medical, and tourist visas. India allows people to migrate without prior permissions if their lives are in danger. From 15,917 Afghan refugees residing in India in 1998 to the 10,340 currently in India, Afghans fleeing war and persecution have found themselves safe and welcome here. "India abides by Article 31 of the Refugee Convention which permits the treatment of refugees. It exempts them from penalties for illegal entry when they come directly from a territory where their life or freedom was threatened. However, there is no law concerning refugees in the country. Their status is governed by guidelines stated under Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939. Although India is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees and 1967 Protocol, it has followed a very liberal refugee policy which adheres to the underlying principles of international refugee law," lawyer Yateesh Begoore Shivaswamy, told WION. Stay in India: In safety, but without jobs Afrooz has been in India for five years now. "People are extremely warm and helpful. However, our problems are countless. Indian government does not have laws for refugees. We are at the mercy of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). A refugee card issued by the organisation is our only identity proof. False promises (by UNHCR) of education, employment, income, health-care facilities were made to be broken. We are not eligible to even buy a sim card, forget about a bank account. My father is the only bread-earner of the family — he works in a bakery for Rupees 8000 a month. He has to support a nine-member family. The demonetisation period was tortuous. We are financially dependent on my uncle who sends money from Germany to supplement our family income. What if he decides to stop some day? What will we do then?" Refugee Card issues by UNHCR is valid for two years. It is not useful to get a SIM card or bank account (WION) × As refugees, they are not eligible for formal education or employment unless they have a long-term visa. "Promises were made but never fulfilled. Some Afghanis who have been in India for two years still don’t have refugee cards. They promise us unskilled jobs. UNHCR pays beauty parlours to train us, but we never get jobs." As time passed things kept getting worse instead of improving. "My sister was called in for an interview in Dilshad Garden (a neighbourhood in east Delhi) set up by the UNHCR. When she reached the venue, a strange man with possibly bad intentions waited for her in a dark room with strange lighting and music. She had to run. Saying that we live a poor, below dignity life is an understatement. I am a citizen... of this planet. I hate being called a refugee. I hate not having a home," she said, her eyes welling up. India is on the verge of granting citizenship to Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan who have sought refuge from religious persecution. "They are granting citizenship to persecuted Hindus. We as Muslims do not feel very welcomed. The Indian government doesn't take care of us." said Aman Zaidi, 30, who fled Afghanistan in hope of a better future for his sons. He has taught himself the languages spoken locally (Hindi and English) and now works as an interpreter for Afghan medical tourists at hospitals. Chaos, hope, fresh starts In spite of the ongoing social and political mayhem, the community has been able to make space for itself. The refugees that landed in India earlier watch out for the new arrivals. Afrooz's father got a house and job through another Sikh refugee from Afghanistan. In a back alley of Lajpat Nagar, a sprawling market area in south Delhi, is Afghan Market or Kabul street. Shop boards in Dari transcript, modest looking restaurants with fancy interiors, separate seating areas for men and women, playlists of Hindi, English and Pashto songs, general stores with supplies from United Arab Emirates (UAE), scent of Kabuli pulao - the place is a safe haven for Afghan refugees. Shops in Lajpat Nagar's Afghan market have signboards in English and Dari language (WION) × Naseem manages a street-vend of Afghani snacks. He offered me to try Bolani Gandana (a stuffed, deep fried bread). A tentative attempt to initiate a conversation revealed that Naseem was a rather garrulous man who had landed in India just a month ago. "I have a friend who has taken refuge here. He runs a restaurant and is helping me financially. The situation in Afghanistan is horrible. Here I am able to earn twice the amount I used to earlier working as a cook. I plan to bring my entire family over." "I love India. I have been a fan of Bollywood movies," he explained his ease in Hindi by telling this reporter about his love for Hindi films and actor Ajay Devgan. Naseem then insisted that I visit his friend's restaurant and have lunch there — typical of the largesse of his people. Naseem makes a decent living through a street-stall of Afghani snacks. He wants to bring his family to India soon (WION) × Twenty-year-old Ahmed arrived in India recently. His employer warned him to be careful with strangers. The shy young man took a while to open up. "I don't have a refugee card," he said while cooking bread in the clay oven of a small eatery. He hopes to start a new life here. "I come from Mazar-e-Sharif. A guy helped me escape. My family is still there. We all couldn't afford to come, so they sent me. I would want to see them again, but I don't want to go back to Afghanistan. It is terrifying to even think about it. I hope I can do enough to call them here," he smiled. Young or old, there is one common strain in all conversations — the luxury of a sound night's sleep without the fear of mortars and bombs tearing into homes. "My hometown was beautiful. I have grown up admiring the natural beauty around me. But things got out of control there. You can die any moment. Delhi is very crowded and they blare horns too loudly. But at least I can sleep without worrying at night. In other countries, they start firing on refugee boats. India has given us a home to live. We might not be citizens, but this is now our home," 60-year old Hameed told WION. Others headed back to India because it was their natural home. When the Sikh community found itself under attack by the Taliban, many of them made a long and arduous journey to the land of their forefather. Harmeet Chhabra, now a naturalised Indian citizen, came to India 24 years ago. "Our shop in Kabul was looted. We travelled on foot for 10 days in a group of 50. Our shop was raided and several friends and their families were killed. We did not know anyone in India. Initially, we took refuge in the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It has been a long journey." Today, Chhabra runs a chemist store in Delhi. Today the community finds shelter for some and homes for others in Delhi neighbourhooda like Lajpat Nagar, Bhogal, Saket, Tilak Nagar and Wazirabad. Wazirabad is where most Hindu and Sikh Afghans have settled down, driven from their homeland in 1991 by the Afghan Mujahideen during the rule of Mohammad Najibullah which were the early days of the Taliban. From a place away from home, the Afghan refugees use their culinary skills to build new lives for themselves (WION) × What the law says In terms of international obligations, as a consequence of its accession to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Government of India has some obligations towards the economic status of refugees. The Covenant guarantees everyone’s – including refugees’ – right to work. However, it may be noted that the Covenant provides a caveat wherein “developing countries, with due regard to human rights and their national economy, may determine to what extent they would guarantee the economic rights". "Refugees who fled their home country in fear of genuine threats are eligible for Long Term Visa (LTV). A refugee holding a long term visa is permitted to take up employment in the private sector or undertake studies in any academic institution." Shivaswamy added. Equal status for all refugees? The feasibility of legislation, however, remains a political question and whether Parliament would see fit to enact such legislation is hard to surmise. The ‘Asylum Bill 2015’ introduced in the Lok Sabha by MP Shashi Tharoor proposes fair treatment and just manner consistent with the guarantees of equality, fairness and due process of law for all refugees. The procedure of determining who qualifies as a refugee is unsure. While the government decides refugee status for fugitives from regions like Sri Lanka and Tibet, refugees from other regions need to approach UNHCR office. This has given rise to an inconsistent approach towards different nationalities, and an asylum policy that, on the whole, lacks uniformity. The community also claims discrimination and partiality when it comes to issuing refugee cards among refugees of different nationalities. "All refugees are not treated equally by the UNHCR. It is way easier for other communities to get basic documentation," Afrooz's brother, Faraz said. Clearly, there are loopholes in the system to implement policies in the interest of refugees. *Some names have been changed to protect identity (WION)

A sound night's sleep: Afghans hope for equal refugee benefits in India

Refugees in Papua New Guinea and Nauru were handed a lifeline on Sunday with Australia and the United States reaching a &quot;one-off&quot; resettlement deal.

Under Australia&#39;s tough border security laws, asylum seekers who try to reach Australia by boat are sent to the controversial remote detention facilities in the Pacific, even if found to be refugees. &nbsp;

&quot;The arrangements with the United States will offer the opportunity for refugees, both on Nauru and Manus, to be resettled,&quot; Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in Canberra. Turnbull would not say how many refugees would be resettled in the United States, but that women, children and families would be prioritised.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in New Zealand, confirmed the arrangement, adding that &quot;we know that these refugees are of special interest to UNHCR and we&#39;re very engaged with them on a humanitarian basis there and in other parts of the world&quot;.

Abdul Aziz, 24, who has spent more than three years on Manus Island after fleeing his home in Sudan in 2013, was very happy. &quot;All the refugees were smiling and hugging each other. This nightmare is going to end finally, but the main question is when and how and how we get out of here,&quot; he told Reuters.

The agreement, to be administered with the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), is available only to those currently in the processing centres and will not be repeated.&nbsp;

Immigration minister Peter Dutton said asylum-seekers whose refugee applications are rejected would be expected to return to their home country. While those who are offered the US move but reject it themselves would be offered a 20-year Nauru visa instead.&nbsp;

Some 1,200 people are in detention in the camps have been widely criticised by refugee advocates and medical professionals, who say some asylum-seekers suffer from mental health problems due to their prolonged, indefinite detention.

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Australia stressed that under the deal, refugees in remote camps will be offered the US move but immigration policy will remain unchanged

Refugees in Papua New Guinea and Nauru were handed a lifeline on Sunday with Australia and the United States reaching a "one-off" resettlement deal. Under Australia's tough border security laws, asylum seekers who try to reach Australia by boat are sent to the controversial remote detention facilities in the Pacific, even if found to be refugees. "The arrangements with the United States will offer the opportunity for refugees, both on Nauru and Manus, to be resettled," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in Canberra. Turnbull would not say how many refugees would be resettled in the United States, but that women, children and families would be prioritised. US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in New Zealand, confirmed the arrangement, adding that "we know that these refugees are of special interest to UNHCR and we're very engaged with them on a humanitarian basis there and in other parts of the world". Abdul Aziz, 24, who has spent more than three years on Manus Island after fleeing his home in Sudan in 2013, was very happy. "All the refugees were smiling and hugging each other. This nightmare is going to end finally, but the main question is when and how and how we get out of here," he told Reuters. The agreement, to be administered with the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), is available only to those currently in the processing centres and will not be repeated. Immigration minister Peter Dutton said asylum-seekers whose refugee applications are rejected would be expected to return to their home country. While those who are offered the US move but reject it themselves would be offered a 20-year Nauru visa instead. Some 1,200 people are in detention in the camps have been widely criticised by refugee advocates and medical professionals, who say some asylum-seekers suffer from mental health problems due to their prolonged, indefinite detention. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Australia-US migrant deal: Refugees in detention camps offered US resettlement

The bodies of five migrants were recovered in the central Mediterranean on Wednesday during rescue operations that saved 300 others, the Italian coastguard said.

The migrants were on board two inflatable dinghies and three small boats, the coastguard said in a statement.

The dinghies were helped by a charity boat and an Irish naval vessel, which rescued 118 people and found five dead bodies.

Some 145,000 migrants have been picked up and brought to Italy since the start of 2016. According to the UN, at least 3,626 people have died during the perilous crossings or are lost at sea. 
 
(AFP)

Around 145,000 migrants have been rescued and brought to Italy since the beginning of 2016

The bodies of five migrants were recovered in the central Mediterranean on Wednesday during rescue operations that saved 300 others, the Italian coastguard said. The migrants were on board two inflatable dinghies and three small boats, the coastguard said in a statement. The dinghies were helped by a charity boat and an Irish naval vessel, which rescued 118 people and found five dead bodies. Some 145,000 migrants have been picked up and brought to Italy since the start of 2016. According to the UN, at least 3,626 people have died during the perilous crossings or are lost at sea. (AFP)

Italy recovers five dead migrants from the Mediterranean, rescues 300

Imagine a child without any toys to play with, regular schooling or a daily dose of cartoons. Sounds like a disturbed childhood, right? This is the reality for about 14.4 million refugees (2014 UNHCR figures) in the world&nbsp;who lead a different life than an average kid living in their own homeland.

World Refugee Day is celebrated every year on June 20.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/refugee-20161003123616.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
World Refugee Day (WION)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

Living under difficult circumstances, refugees deal with several issues at hand. Displaced from their place of belonging here is a list of things that refugee kids miss out on a daily basis:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Their home:&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Usually relocated, refugee children miss out on growing up in their own homeland, among friends and family. Unlike children who are raised under normal state of affairs, these kids are not exposed to their culture and surroundings that are vital for a holistic development.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_fl79o-20161003124546.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
A refugee camp (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Regular education:&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Most refugee children have no or negligible access to regular schools. Some are pulled out of schools because of war-like situations or have to discontinue so as to fend for the family.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_7z67e-20161003124828.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
A makeshift refugee school (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Food:&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Leading a disturbed lifestyle, refugee children have no access to everyday food that we munch on. Most of them survive on minimum basics or go without food for several days. In several countries they are given food vouchers, so you can imagine they don&#39;t eat anything that we fancy on as kids -&nbsp;ice creams, burgers, pizzas or other junk food items.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_hkg2005102184450-20161003010747.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Displaced kids eating (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Lose their childhood too early:&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Reeling under physical and psychological pressure, refugee kids mature much early than their counterparts. It is reported by the&nbsp;UN&#39;s refugee agency that countries like Syria have reported grave dangers for refugee kids. Girls are married to much older men vying for safety while the boys are forced into labour so as to sustain a family.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_c62vj-20161003010716.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
A kid at work in a refugee camp (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Source of entertainment:&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

As a child refugee, the&nbsp;kids are always striving for safety and have no&nbsp;source of entertainment like movies, cartoons, leisure activities or even access to toys sometimes.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_be47o-20161003125249.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
A child plays with makeshift tricycle (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

Every year, war adds on to the number of refugees worldwide. Facing danger to life and other basic human rights, they need to be provided with a closer-to home environment for growth. Many organisations around the world like UNHCR, World Food Programs are working towards improving their living standards.

&nbsp;

(Contributed by: Zeba Khan)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Owing to pressure, these kids mature faster than those living in their homes

Imagine a child without any toys to play with, regular schooling or a daily dose of cartoons. Sounds like a disturbed childhood, right? This is the reality for about 14.4 million refugees (2014 UNHCR figures) in the world who lead a different life than an average kid living in their own homeland. World Refugee Day is celebrated every year on June 20. World Refugee Day (WION) × Living under difficult circumstances, refugees deal with several issues at hand. Displaced from their place of belonging here is a list of things that refugee kids miss out on a daily basis: Their home: Usually relocated, refugee children miss out on growing up in their own homeland, among friends and family. Unlike children who are raised under normal state of affairs, these kids are not exposed to their culture and surroundings that are vital for a holistic development. A refugee camp (AFP) × Regular education: Most refugee children have no or negligible access to regular schools. Some are pulled out of schools because of war-like situations or have to discontinue so as to fend for the family. A makeshift refugee school (AFP) × Food: Leading a disturbed lifestyle, refugee children have no access to everyday food that we munch on. Most of them survive on minimum basics or go without food for several days. In several countries they are given food vouchers, so you can imagine they don't eat anything that we fancy on as kids - ice creams, burgers, pizzas or other junk food items. Displaced kids eating (AFP) × Lose their childhood too early: Reeling under physical and psychological pressure, refugee kids mature much early than their counterparts. It is reported by the UN's refugee agency that countries like Syria have reported grave dangers for refugee kids. Girls are married to much older men vying for safety while the boys are forced into labour so as to sustain a family. A kid at work in a refugee camp (AFP) × Source of entertainment: As a child refugee, the kids are always striving for safety and have no source of entertainment like movies, cartoons, leisure activities or even access to toys sometimes. A child plays with makeshift tricycle (AFP) × Every year, war adds on to the number of refugees worldwide. Facing danger to life and other basic human rights, they need to be provided with a closer-to home environment for growth. Many organisations around the world like UNHCR, World Food Programs are working towards improving their living standards. (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

A refugee child misses out on things your average kid takes for granted

Donald Trump&#39;s eldest son sparked an online storm on Tuesday as he compared Syrian refugees to lethal candies reiterating his father&#39;s hardline stance on immigration.&nbsp; 
 
Donald Jr, who is one of the surrogates of Republican presidential candidate, posted a tweet on the microblogging website saying: &nbsp;&quot;This image says it all,&quot; The picture showed a white bowl filled with the popular, rainbow-colored Skittles candies. 
&nbsp;
<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
This image says it all. Let&#39;s end the politically correct agenda that doesn&#39;t put America first. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/trump2016?src=hash">#trump2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/9fHwog7ssN">pic.twitter.com/9fHwog7ssN</a>
&mdash; Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/778016283342307328">September 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
 
Written above the image is: &quot;If I had a bowl of skittles and I told you just three would kill you, would you take a handful? That&#39;s our Syria refugee problem.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
&quot;It is too dangerous to welcome migrants when a tiny number of them could later launch attacks,&quot; &nbsp;he stressed.&nbsp; 
 
In a company statement, Wrigley, the maker of Skittles, criticised Trump Jr&#39;s tweet&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Skittles are candy. Refugees are people. We don&#39;t feel it&#39;s an appropriate analogy,&quot; the official statement read.&nbsp; 
 
The statement also triggered an online outrage as some users posted heart-wrenching pictures of Syrian refugees.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Skittles. <a href="https://t.co/BdrBjQh2OR">pic.twitter.com/BdrBjQh2OR</a>
&mdash; Nish Weiseth (@NishWeiseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/NishWeiseth/status/778066919655997441">September 20, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
&nbsp;

<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Remember when everyone thought the Trump kids were classy before they called refugee&#39;s skittles, walked out on media last week <a href="https://t.co/8fcgPFvkbM">https://t.co/8fcgPFvkbM</a>
&mdash; Barry Ybarra (@ybarry45) <a href="https://twitter.com/ybarry45/status/778464303804329985">September 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I have an idea. Let&#39;s stop with analogies and address the problems head on. 
 
Enough trying to soften the blows of actual problems. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Skittles?src=hash">#Skittles</a>
&mdash; Mitsurugi Reiji (@MitsuReiji) <a href="https://twitter.com/MitsuReiji/status/778464650962743296">September 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/SethAbramovitch">@SethAbramovitch</a> the fact they disowned that analogy tells you where <a href="https://twitter.com/Skittles">@Skittles</a> stands. Real far away from Mr Trump.
&mdash; Patchouli Woollahra (@PatchouliW) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatchouliW/status/778463659353776128">September 21, 2016</a> 
 
 
&nbsp;</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
 
 
Meanwhile, Trump has repeatedly warned of the risks posed by Syrian refugees, citing the arrival in Europe of Islamic State operatives disguised as simple refugees.&nbsp; 
 
On Tuesday, the Republican candidate called them a dangerous &quot;Trojan horse&quot; who enter the country with the aim of doing harm, is inextricably linked to his meteoric political rise. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s just a plain fact that our current immigration system makes no real attempt to determine the views of the people entering our country. We have no idea who they are, what they think,&quot; he said in a speech at High Point University in North Carolina. 
 
The real estate tycoon also renounced the &quot;open borders&quot; that he said his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton advocated as secretary of state, blaming her for the rise of the Islamic State group. 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

'It is too dangerous to welcome migrants when a tiny number of them could later launch attacks,' Donald Jr said

Donald Trump's eldest son sparked an online storm on Tuesday as he compared Syrian refugees to lethal candies reiterating his father's hardline stance on immigration. Donald Jr, who is one of the surrogates of Republican presidential candidate, posted a tweet on the microblogging website saying: "This image says it all," The picture showed a white bowl filled with the popular, rainbow-colored Skittles candies. This image says it all. Let's end the politically correct agenda that doesn't put America first. #trump2016 pic.twitter.com/9fHwog7ssN — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 19, 2016 Written above the image is: "If I had a bowl of skittles and I told you just three would kill you, would you take a handful? That's our Syria refugee problem." "It is too dangerous to welcome migrants when a tiny number of them could later launch attacks," he stressed. In a company statement, Wrigley, the maker of Skittles, criticised Trump Jr's tweet "Skittles are candy. Refugees are people. We don't feel it's an appropriate analogy," the official statement read. The statement also triggered an online outrage as some users posted heart-wrenching pictures of Syrian refugees. Skittles. pic.twitter.com/BdrBjQh2OR — Nish Weiseth (@NishWeiseth) September 20, 2016 Remember when everyone thought the Trump kids were classy before they called refugee's skittles, walked out on media last week https://t.co/8fcgPFvkbM — Barry Ybarra (@ybarry45) September 21, 2016 I have an idea. Let's stop with analogies and address the problems head on. Enough trying to soften the blows of actual problems. #Skittles — Mitsurugi Reiji (@MitsuReiji) September 21, 2016 @SethAbramovitch the fact they disowned that analogy tells you where @Skittles stands. Real far away from Mr Trump. — Patchouli Woollahra (@PatchouliW) September 21, 2016 Meanwhile, Trump has repeatedly warned of the risks posed by Syrian refugees, citing the arrival in Europe of Islamic State operatives disguised as simple refugees. On Tuesday, the Republican candidate called them a dangerous "Trojan horse" who enter the country with the aim of doing harm, is inextricably linked to his meteoric political rise. "It's just a plain fact that our current immigration system makes no real attempt to determine the views of the people entering our country. We have no idea who they are, what they think," he said in a speech at High Point University in North Carolina. The real estate tycoon also renounced the "open borders" that he said his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton advocated as secretary of state, blaming her for the rise of the Islamic State group. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Trump's son compares Syrian refugees to lethal candies, triggers online outrage

The line-ups in the dispensary were snaking through the camp. Kids were screaming and playing in the dirt. Some queued up outside the tents to collect food supplies; others stood in a file to get water. These people had gathered there to get basic amenities because they had no way to buy them or earn them. There were millions who had been displaced by the fighting in Afghanistan. We stood there looking at the size of this calamity and wondered how this would ever get resolved. This was at the Jalozai camp near Peshawar in Pakistan in 2002.

Almost a decade later, I went back to another camp near Jalozai. By then, Jalozai had shut down. This camp mostly had internally displaced people from Waziristan, living under plastic sheets in what they called their homes. Some of them who were more entrepreneurial had moved out. Some found jobs and some had set-up businesses starting afresh in their new country.

Unimaginable size of refugees 
Over the past decades, the number of refugees has grown acutely. Every minute, 24 people are displaced in this world. Somebody loses one&#39;s home, community and way of life. Official figures tell that 98,400 among the displaced population are unaccompanied or are children who have been separated from their families.&nbsp;

Leaving behind one&rsquo;s home and security are traumatic enough but not having a friend, parent or a relative in the journey to unknown places is scary. The challenge for the children is even more as many get sexually abused. They are scarred for the rest of their lives.

In 2015, one in every 113 people were displaced globally from their homes because of conflict and persecution. Three countries &mdash; Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia &mdash; produce half of the world&rsquo;s refugees. The most startling fact is that about 86 per cent of the world&rsquo;s refugees live in developing countries. In the developing world, where the majority of its own citizens don&rsquo;t have access to basic amenities like clean drinking water, houses and jobs, we can imagine what the living conditions of the refugees would be.

Psychological impact of being a refugee 
The relationship between the governed and the government is a fascinating one. Whether democracy or dictatorship, the governed put trust in their government. They believe that this trust would give them security and opportunity to lead a normal life with their own people. Being labeled a migrant or a refugee puts one&#39;s statehood and identity always in question. There are more than 30,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees in one of the refugee camps in Delhi. While talking to them, one realises that they are always questioning their identity. They feel that they belong nowhere. On the one hand, they are being persecuted in their homeland. On the other hand in their host country, they don&rsquo;t feel a sense of belonging.

Someone who becomes a refugee doesn&rsquo;t want to stay in that condition; they are always vulnerable in a foreign land. Cultural integration in the host country is not easy. Even if they stay in their host countries for generations and finally manage to carve out a new life in the new land, there is always the fear of repatriation. After the 1980 war between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan, several Afghans came to Pakistan as refugees. Over the years, they built their life, home and community in Pakistan. But, now the government of Pakistan is repatriating them. They have been given a deadline till the end of this year to return. Even if some want to stay back, they can&rsquo;t as they suffer harassment at the hands of Pakistani Police.

The refugees have to go through deep psychological distress. They are at risk of developing mental health problems due to their traumatic experiences. They are uprooted from their habitat and face adjustment difficulties in the new country, such as language, occupational problems, and cultural conflict. Uprooting creates culture shock resulting in psychological and mental stress, thus impacting an individual well-being.

However, studies have shown that much of the depression and anxiety of refugees can be alleviated if they can keep family ties somewhat intact and can develop social networks with others from their culture. The stress does not end with the current refugees. It passes onto the children as well, even if they are born into the new environment. Every boy and girl have aspirations and expectations. However, the conditions in refugee camps are so dismal that there is hardly any scope for receiving education, which aggravates the psychological distress in children.

It&rsquo;s a permanent crisis 
Several countries have agreed to accept a larger number of refugees but many have rejected them as well. Thirty-one US states have rejected the idea of accepting refugees. But we have to continuously remind ourselves that we shouldn&rsquo;t be creating conditions that will push more people out of their homes and countries. Instead, there should be a concerted effort to end the turmoil. Meanwhile, let&rsquo;s make these populations feel at home.

Sometimes, circumstances are such that people are relieved to leave their native places and move to new ones. Muthi camp that I visited in Jammu of Kashmiri in 2007-2008, people were relieved to escape from Kashmir where their women were being gang raped by their Muslims neighbours right in front of their eyes. Traumatised by such events, they preferred to leave and never return. They have established new homes around the world. So sometimes there may not be a choice but to leave and become a refugee or just create a new home in some place else. The idea should be to help create the circumstance for populations to find safe havens.&nbsp;

We often come across the term &lsquo;conflict management&rsquo; in writings and articles. Lately, it seems that the word is almost being over-used. Conflicts can be managed for decades but they don&rsquo;t end the war. What is needed is conflict resolution. We need to resolve and end the conflicts so that people are no longer displaced.

&nbsp;

The monumental refugee crisis demands a resolve to end the tragedy

The line-ups in the dispensary were snaking through the camp. Kids were screaming and playing in the dirt. Some queued up outside the tents to collect food supplies; others stood in a file to get water. These people had gathered there to get basic amenities because they had no way to buy them or earn them. There were millions who had been displaced by the fighting in Afghanistan. We stood there looking at the size of this calamity and wondered how this would ever get resolved. This was at the Jalozai camp near Peshawar in Pakistan in 2002. Almost a decade later, I went back to another camp near Jalozai. By then, Jalozai had shut down. This camp mostly had internally displaced people from Waziristan, living under plastic sheets in what they called their homes. Some of them who were more entrepreneurial had moved out. Some found jobs and some had set-up businesses starting afresh in their new country. Unimaginable size of refugees Over the past decades, the number of refugees has grown acutely. Every minute, 24 people are displaced in this world. Somebody loses one's home, community and way of life. Official figures tell that 98,400 among the displaced population are unaccompanied or are children who have been separated from their families. Leaving behind one’s home and security are traumatic enough but not having a friend, parent or a relative in the journey to unknown places is scary. The challenge for the children is even more as many get sexually abused. They are scarred for the rest of their lives. In 2015, one in every 113 people were displaced globally from their homes because of conflict and persecution. Three countries — Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia — produce half of the world’s refugees. The most startling fact is that about 86 per cent of the world’s refugees live in developing countries. In the developing world, where the majority of its own citizens don’t have access to basic amenities like clean drinking water, houses and jobs, we can imagine what the living conditions of the refugees would be. Psychological impact of being a refugee The relationship between the governed and the government is a fascinating one. Whether democracy or dictatorship, the governed put trust in their government. They believe that this trust would give them security and opportunity to lead a normal life with their own people. Being labeled a migrant or a refugee puts one's statehood and identity always in question. There are more than 30,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees in one of the refugee camps in Delhi. While talking to them, one realises that they are always questioning their identity. They feel that they belong nowhere. On the one hand, they are being persecuted in their homeland. On the other hand in their host country, they don’t feel a sense of belonging. Someone who becomes a refugee doesn’t want to stay in that condition; they are always vulnerable in a foreign land. Cultural integration in the host country is not easy. Even if they stay in their host countries for generations and finally manage to carve out a new life in the new land, there is always the fear of repatriation. After the 1980 war between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan, several Afghans came to Pakistan as refugees. Over the years, they built their life, home and community in Pakistan. But, now the government of Pakistan is repatriating them. They have been given a deadline till the end of this year to return. Even if some want to stay back, they can’t as they suffer harassment at the hands of Pakistani Police. The refugees have to go through deep psychological distress. They are at risk of developing mental health problems due to their traumatic experiences. They are uprooted from their habitat and face adjustment difficulties in the new country, such as language, occupational problems, and cultural conflict. Uprooting creates culture shock resulting in psychological and mental stress, thus impacting an individual well-being. However, studies have shown that much of the depression and anxiety of refugees can be alleviated if they can keep family ties somewhat intact and can develop social networks with others from their culture. The stress does not end with the current refugees. It passes onto the children as well, even if they are born into the new environment. Every boy and girl have aspirations and expectations. However, the conditions in refugee camps are so dismal that there is hardly any scope for receiving education, which aggravates the psychological distress in children. It’s a permanent crisis Several countries have agreed to accept a larger number of refugees but many have rejected them as well. Thirty-one US states have rejected the idea of accepting refugees. But we have to continuously remind ourselves that we shouldn’t be creating conditions that will push more people out of their homes and countries. Instead, there should be a concerted effort to end the turmoil. Meanwhile, let’s make these populations feel at home. Sometimes, circumstances are such that people are relieved to leave their native places and move to new ones. Muthi camp that I visited in Jammu of Kashmiri in 2007-2008, people were relieved to escape from Kashmir where their women were being gang raped by their Muslims neighbours right in front of their eyes. Traumatised by such events, they preferred to leave and never return. They have established new homes around the world. So sometimes there may not be a choice but to leave and become a refugee or just create a new home in some place else. The idea should be to help create the circumstance for populations to find safe havens. We often come across the term ‘conflict management’ in writings and articles. Lately, it seems that the word is almost being over-used. Conflicts can be managed for decades but they don’t end the war. What is needed is conflict resolution. We need to resolve and end the conflicts so that people are no longer displaced.

Road to nowhere: the global refugee crisis

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will discuss the country&#39;s stand on refugees at the first UN summit on refugees and migrants by the UN General Assembly on September 19-20, reported Bangladesh&#39;s bdnews24.com. 
 
She will highlight the nation&#39;s priorities and position on refugee issues, Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali told reporters. 
 
As the current chair of the &#39;Global Forum for Migration and Development&#39;, Bangladesh is particularly interested in the refugee crisis. 
 
On the sidelines of the UN summit, US President Barack Obama will be a part of the Leaders Summit, where Hasina will talk about Bangladesh&#39;s 10 million refugees, who have taken shelter in India after the 1971 Liberation war from Pakistan, Ali said. 
 
She will also discuss the situation of Myanmar refugees who have taken asylum in Bangladesh. 
 
According to UNHCR report 2011, Bangladesh is host to around 29,000 recognised refugees who were accommodated in camps and an estimated 36,000 unrecognised refugees who have congregated in makeshift&nbsp;sites to which UNHCR and other international and national humanitarian actors have limited access. In addition, there are thought to be at least 200,000 undocumented Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar.
<h2>UN summit on refugees and migrants</h2>
The UN General Assembly has for the first time organised a summit at the heads of state and government level to discuss large movements of refugees across nations and to respond to them in a humane manner.&nbsp; 
 
The aim is to &quot;strengthen governance of international migration and a unique opportunity for creating a more responsible, predictable system for responding to large movements of refugees and migrants&quot;, the United Nations&#39; official website states. 
 
(WION)

This is the first such summit by the UN General Assembly aimed at 'strengthening governance of international migration'

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will discuss the country's stand on refugees at the first UN summit on refugees and migrants by the UN General Assembly on September 19-20, reported Bangladesh's bdnews24.com. She will highlight the nation's priorities and position on refugee issues, Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali told reporters. As the current chair of the 'Global Forum for Migration and Development', Bangladesh is particularly interested in the refugee crisis. On the sidelines of the UN summit, US President Barack Obama will be a part of the Leaders Summit, where Hasina will talk about Bangladesh's 10 million refugees, who have taken shelter in India after the 1971 Liberation war from Pakistan, Ali said. She will also discuss the situation of Myanmar refugees who have taken asylum in Bangladesh. According to UNHCR report 2011, Bangladesh is host to around 29,000 recognised refugees who were accommodated in camps and an estimated 36,000 unrecognised refugees who have congregated in makeshift sites to which UNHCR and other international and national humanitarian actors have limited access. In addition, there are thought to be at least 200,000 undocumented Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar. UN summit on refugees and migrants The UN General Assembly has for the first time organised a summit at the heads of state and government level to discuss large movements of refugees across nations and to respond to them in a humane manner. The aim is to "strengthen governance of international migration and a unique opportunity for creating a more responsible, predictable system for responding to large movements of refugees and migrants", the United Nations' official website states. (WION)

Bangladesh prime minister to discuss migrants, refugee crisis at UN summit

A sad-eyed Pikachu Pokemon Go character sits amidst the rubble on a Syrian street, while a Charizard dragon from the smash hit game is perched alongside gun-toting jihadists. The striking montages are the work of Syrian Khaled Akil, who is one of several activists and artists using the international frenzy over Pokemon Go to draw new attention to the plight of their battle-scarred country. 
 
In the images posted on Akil&#39;s website, characters from the wildly popular smartphone app are placed into news photographs of scenes from the conflict in Syria, which is now in its sixth year and has killed more than 280,000 people. One image appears to show the aftermath of bombardment, with the facades sheared from buildings and smoke rising from the blackened carcass of a car. 
 
A child walks across the rubble strewn throughout the street, atop which sits the yellow Pikachu character, his tall ears flopping down. In another image, a boy wheels his bicycle down a devastated street, with the turquoise-green Vaporeon character by his side. 
 
Since its global launch, Pokemon Go has sparked a worldwide frenzy among users who have taken to the streets with their smartphones. The free app uses satellite locations, graphics and camera capabilities to overlay cartoon monsters on real-world settings, challenging players to capture and train the creatures for battles. 
 
But some Syrians see it as a chance to redirect attention to the conflict that began in March 2011, which has often fallen out of the headlines despite a spiralling death toll and the displacement of more than half the Syrian population. Syrian graphic designer Saif Aldeen Tahhan posted images on his Facebook page showing users holding smartphones and seeking not Pokemons but medical care, school books or undamaged homes.&nbsp; 
 
One image depicts a smartphone in front of a rubber dinghy of refugees at sea, with the user trying to capture a life ring. &quot;I hope that the message behind these images reaches the whole world and that Syrians will be safe everywhere and always,&quot; Tahhan wrote on his Facebook page. 
 
Syrian opposition activists have also sought to harness the frenzy over the game, posting a series of images online this week showing children holding posters of individual characters. &quot;I am in Kafr Nabal in Idlib province, come and save me,&quot; reads the text underneath a Pikachu on a poster held by a young boy. 
 
Kafr Nabal is a rebel-held town in northwestern Idlib province, which is mostly held by an opposition alliance that includes Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front. Towns across the province are regularly bombarded by the Syrian government and its Russian ally, with more than 20 civilians reported dead in raids in Idlib on Thursday alone. 
 
Other images in the series created by the Syrian Revolutionary Forces activist group show children in the rebel-held towns of Kafr Zita and Kafr Nabuda in central Hama province. An additional montage depicts a giant Pikachu in tears, seated next to a child in the ruins of a devastated building. &quot;I am from Syria, come to save me!,&quot; the picture is captioned, with the hashtag #PrayForSyria. 
 
(AFP)

Artists are inserting Pokemon Go characters into news pictures of bombed-out Syria to create a startling juxtaposition

A sad-eyed Pikachu Pokemon Go character sits amidst the rubble on a Syrian street, while a Charizard dragon from the smash hit game is perched alongside gun-toting jihadists. The striking montages are the work of Syrian Khaled Akil, who is one of several activists and artists using the international frenzy over Pokemon Go to draw new attention to the plight of their battle-scarred country. In the images posted on Akil's website, characters from the wildly popular smartphone app are placed into news photographs of scenes from the conflict in Syria, which is now in its sixth year and has killed more than 280,000 people. One image appears to show the aftermath of bombardment, with the facades sheared from buildings and smoke rising from the blackened carcass of a car. A child walks across the rubble strewn throughout the street, atop which sits the yellow Pikachu character, his tall ears flopping down. In another image, a boy wheels his bicycle down a devastated street, with the turquoise-green Vaporeon character by his side. Since its global launch, Pokemon Go has sparked a worldwide frenzy among users who have taken to the streets with their smartphones. The free app uses satellite locations, graphics and camera capabilities to overlay cartoon monsters on real-world settings, challenging players to capture and train the creatures for battles. But some Syrians see it as a chance to redirect attention to the conflict that began in March 2011, which has often fallen out of the headlines despite a spiralling death toll and the displacement of more than half the Syrian population. Syrian graphic designer Saif Aldeen Tahhan posted images on his Facebook page showing users holding smartphones and seeking not Pokemons but medical care, school books or undamaged homes. One image depicts a smartphone in front of a rubber dinghy of refugees at sea, with the user trying to capture a life ring. "I hope that the message behind these images reaches the whole world and that Syrians will be safe everywhere and always," Tahhan wrote on his Facebook page. Syrian opposition activists have also sought to harness the frenzy over the game, posting a series of images online this week showing children holding posters of individual characters. "I am in Kafr Nabal in Idlib province, come and save me," reads the text underneath a Pikachu on a poster held by a young boy. Kafr Nabal is a rebel-held town in northwestern Idlib province, which is mostly held by an opposition alliance that includes Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front. Towns across the province are regularly bombarded by the Syrian government and its Russian ally, with more than 20 civilians reported dead in raids in Idlib on Thursday alone. Other images in the series created by the Syrian Revolutionary Forces activist group show children in the rebel-held towns of Kafr Zita and Kafr Nabuda in central Hama province. An additional montage depicts a giant Pikachu in tears, seated next to a child in the ruins of a devastated building. "I am from Syria, come to save me!," the picture is captioned, with the hashtag #PrayForSyria. (AFP)

Syrians harness Pokemon frenzy to depict their plight

Pope Francis on Tuesday criticised countries which are arming the warring parties in Syria while speaking at the same time of peace. 
 
The pontiff did not name any countries. President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s government is receiving military and other help from Russia and Iran, while some opposition groups have the backing of Sunni Muslim regional powers and the West. 
 
&quot;While the people suffer, incredible quantities of money are being spent to supply weapons to fighters. And some of the countries supplying these arms are also among those that talk of peace,&quot; Francis said in a video message to a charity group holding a conference on Syria. 
 
&quot;How can you believe in someone who caresses you with the right hand and strikes you with the left hand?&quot; 
 
More than a quarter of a million people have been killed and more than 11 million displaced in Syria&#39;s five-year-old civil war, which has led to Europe&#39;s biggest refugee crisis since World War Two. 
 
UN-brokered peace talks have stalled. The United Nations&#39; envoy to Syria told the UN Security Council last week it remained unclear when the next round peace talks would take place. 
 
Francis has made many appeals for peace in Syria and has criticised arms manufacters and traffickers, saying they cannot in good conscience call themselves Christians. 
 
(Reuters)

More than a quarter of a million people have been killed and more than 11 million displaced in Syria's five-year-old civil war

Pope Francis on Tuesday criticised countries which are arming the warring parties in Syria while speaking at the same time of peace. The pontiff did not name any countries. President Bashar al-Assad's government is receiving military and other help from Russia and Iran, while some opposition groups have the backing of Sunni Muslim regional powers and the West. "While the people suffer, incredible quantities of money are being spent to supply weapons to fighters. And some of the countries supplying these arms are also among those that talk of peace," Francis said in a video message to a charity group holding a conference on Syria. "How can you believe in someone who caresses you with the right hand and strikes you with the left hand?" More than a quarter of a million people have been killed and more than 11 million displaced in Syria's five-year-old civil war, which has led to Europe's biggest refugee crisis since World War Two. UN-brokered peace talks have stalled. The United Nations' envoy to Syria told the UN Security Council last week it remained unclear when the next round peace talks would take place. Francis has made many appeals for peace in Syria and has criticised arms manufacters and traffickers, saying they cannot in good conscience call themselves Christians. (Reuters)

Pope raps countries that talk of peace in Syria but supply arms

The United Nations said today that it will try to resettle a record 170,000 refugees urgently in need of a new home by next year. 
 
The projected resettlement figure from the UN refugee agency represents an increase of nearly 30,000 people compared with this year. 
But it is still less than 15 per cent of the 1.19 million refugees worldwide who will be &quot;in need of resettlement&quot; in 2017, the United Nations Human Right Commission (UNHCR) acknowledged in a report released today.&nbsp; 
 
That group mainly consists of refugees who the UN believes will not be able to return home or integrate in their current host country.&nbsp; 
But resettling 1.19 million people over a 12-month period is not feasible based on recent trends, UNHCR spokesman Leo Dobbs said.&nbsp; 
 
The agency therefore expects to recommend that the 170,000 people most in need of resettlement should be moved to third countries.&nbsp; 
Dobbs noted that the final decision in each case rests with prospective host countries, but in recent years the overwhelming majority of those recommended for resettlement have been given new homes. 
 
In 2015, UNHCR referred a record 134,000 people for resettlement and 104,000 in 2014. The projected figure for this year is 143,000.&nbsp; 
By nationality, Syrians led the list of resettlement cases last year at 20 per cent, followed by people from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq and Somalia.&nbsp; 
 
The European Union (EU) has agreed to a responsibility-sharing scheme, which foresees the relocation of 160,000 refugees who have crossed the Mediterranean Sea and landed in Italy or Greece.&nbsp; 
 
But only a few hundred have been resettled to date under the EU plan. 
 
Overall the UNHCR has estimated that there are currently more than 60 million people who have been forced from their homes worldwide.&nbsp; 
 
Of those, roughly 40 million are internally displaced within their home country, while just over 20 million are refugees who have fled across borders.

The European Union has agreed to a responsibility-sharing scheme wherein it will try to relocate the refugees to the Third World countries

The United Nations said today that it will try to resettle a record 170,000 refugees urgently in need of a new home by next year. The projected resettlement figure from the UN refugee agency represents an increase of nearly 30,000 people compared with this year. But it is still less than 15 per cent of the 1.19 million refugees worldwide who will be "in need of resettlement" in 2017, the United Nations Human Right Commission (UNHCR) acknowledged in a report released today. That group mainly consists of refugees who the UN believes will not be able to return home or integrate in their current host country. But resettling 1.19 million people over a 12-month period is not feasible based on recent trends, UNHCR spokesman Leo Dobbs said. The agency therefore expects to recommend that the 170,000 people most in need of resettlement should be moved to third countries. Dobbs noted that the final decision in each case rests with prospective host countries, but in recent years the overwhelming majority of those recommended for resettlement have been given new homes. In 2015, UNHCR referred a record 134,000 people for resettlement and 104,000 in 2014. The projected figure for this year is 143,000. By nationality, Syrians led the list of resettlement cases last year at 20 per cent, followed by people from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq and Somalia. The European Union (EU) has agreed to a responsibility-sharing scheme, which foresees the relocation of 160,000 refugees who have crossed the Mediterranean Sea and landed in Italy or Greece. But only a few hundred have been resettled to date under the EU plan. Overall the UNHCR has estimated that there are currently more than 60 million people who have been forced from their homes worldwide. Of those, roughly 40 million are internally displaced within their home country, while just over 20 million are refugees who have fled across borders.

Will try to resettle 170,000 refugees by next year: UN

Overall estimates say more than 60 million have been forced from their homes worldwide

UN to try resettling 170,000 refugees by next year, up 30,000 from 2016

refugee-crisis

Refugee Crisis, News on Refugee Crisis, stories on Refugee Crisis, articles on Refugee Crisis, Refugee Crisis stories at Wion, Refugee Crisis news, Refugee Crisis latest news