After a violent crackdown by the armed forces, migrants and refugees in tripoli gathered outside a UN center to seek help in escaping Libya. The migrants say they have been victims of violent abuse, torture, and extortion.

Libya: Migrants in fear after a violent crackdown by forces

Greece PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis tours newest migrant camp after the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, fears refugee inflow. However, Mitsotakis stated that he won't allow the repeat of 2015 Greece migration crisis.

Greece PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis concerned over Afghan refugees, fears 2015 crisis

A militant group accused of killing a popular Rohingya leader in a Bangladesh refugee camp said on Friday it was "shocked and saddened" by his death, pointing the finger at "unidentified criminals".

Mohib Ullah was gunned down late Wednesday in one of the camps in east Bangladesh which are home to over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims who fled a 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar.&nbsp;

He had received death threats from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), who were enraged by his growing popularity in the camps, activists told AFP. His brother has openly accused ARSA of his murder.&nbsp;

But in a Twitter statement on Friday, ARSA said Mohib Ullah was "reportedly assassinated by unidentified transnational border-based criminals".&nbsp;

"It is time for bringing the criminals to their accountability instead of finger-pointing with baseless and heavy accusations," the statement added.

AFP has contacted the group for comment.

On Friday UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for a "prompt, thorough, and independent investigation" into the killing.

A 28-year-old Rohingya man has been arrested over the murder, Bangladesh police said Friday.

"I don't know if he is a member of ARSA," commanding officer Naimul Haque told AFP.&nbsp;

"More information will be known after interrogation."

ARSA were behind a spate of attacks on Myanmar security posts in 2017 and are also blamed for attacks on Hindus living in Rohingya villages in the country's western Rakhine province.

Mohib Ullah had set up the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, a rights group that documented atrocities allegedly committed against the Rohingya by the Myanmar military during its 2017 offensive.

The military crackdown prompted hundreds of thousands of the long-oppressed mostly Muslim minority to flee into Bangladesh, where they remain four years later in squalid refugee camps.&nbsp;

The former schoolteacher rose to prominence after his group held a grand rally on the second anniversary of the crackdown in 2019, which an estimated 200,000 Rohingya attended.

That year, Mohib Ullah also met then US president Donald Trump at the White House during a meeting on religious freedom, and spoke at a UN Human Rights meeting in Geneva.

Up to 25,000 people attended his funeral prayers at the main Kutupalong camp on Thursday, police said. Nazir Hossain, a Rohingya leader, said there were 200,000. 
&nbsp;

A militant group accused of killing a popular Rohingya leader in a Bangladesh refugee camp said on Friday it was "shocked and saddened" by his death, pointing the finger at "unidentified criminals".

A militant group accused of killing a popular Rohingya leader in a Bangladesh refugee camp said on Friday it was "shocked and saddened" by his death, pointing the finger at "unidentified criminals". Mohib Ullah was gunned down late Wednesday in one of the camps in east Bangladesh which are home to over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims who fled a 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar. He had received death threats from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), who were enraged by his growing popularity in the camps, activists told AFP. His brother has openly accused ARSA of his murder. But in a Twitter statement on Friday, ARSA said Mohib Ullah was "reportedly assassinated by unidentified transnational border-based criminals". "It is time for bringing the criminals to their accountability instead of finger-pointing with baseless and heavy accusations," the statement added. AFP has contacted the group for comment. On Friday UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for a "prompt, thorough, and independent investigation" into the killing. A 28-year-old Rohingya man has been arrested over the murder, Bangladesh police said Friday. "I don't know if he is a member of ARSA," commanding officer Naimul Haque told AFP. "More information will be known after interrogation." ARSA were behind a spate of attacks on Myanmar security posts in 2017 and are also blamed for attacks on Hindus living in Rohingya villages in the country's western Rakhine province. Mohib Ullah had set up the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, a rights group that documented atrocities allegedly committed against the Rohingya by the Myanmar military during its 2017 offensive. The military crackdown prompted hundreds of thousands of the long-oppressed mostly Muslim minority to flee into Bangladesh, where they remain four years later in squalid refugee camps. The former schoolteacher rose to prominence after his group held a grand rally on the second anniversary of the crackdown in 2019, which an estimated 200,000 Rohingya attended. That year, Mohib Ullah also met then US president Donald Trump at the White House during a meeting on religious freedom, and spoke at a UN Human Rights meeting in Geneva. Up to 25,000 people attended his funeral prayers at the main Kutupalong camp on Thursday, police said. Nazir Hossain, a Rohingya leader, said there were 200,000.

Militant group accused of Rohingya leader's death blame 'unidentified criminals'

In the wake of the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, neighbouring nations and others have started bracing for the possibility of a massive migrant crisis. WION brings you a report.

Fall of Afghanistan fuels massive refugee camps

A few days after completing evacuation process from Afghanistan, Italy has now announced that it has taken one of the largest numbers of Afghans.

"We are the EU country taking in the biggest number of Afghan evacuees,"&nbsp;Luigi Di Maio, Italy’s Foreign Affairs minister said.

Several countries from the West and East have been trying to evacuate their citizens, passport holders and Afghan allies since the Taliban took control of the country.

Have a look |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/afghanistan-evacuations-latest-situation-on-the-ground-408839#usa-408826">&nbsp;Afghanistan evacuations: Latest situation on the ground</a>

Western countries are now struggling to evacuate their citizens from Afghanistan now through the Kabul International Airport, before the deadline of August 31.

Italy claims they have evacuated nearly 5,000 Afghan citizens since August 15 — when Taliban took over Afghanistan. Italy has evacuated 4,900 citizens and Germany has brought 4,000 Afghans.

"There are still so many Afghan nationals waiting to be evacuated, and we can no longer do that with the airlift," Di Maio said.&nbsp;"Our imperative will be not to abandon the Afghan people, not to abandon Afghan women, or young Afghans and all those who over all these years have shown a great desire for evolution, for change."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-flights-take-off-from-kabul-as-evacuations-resume-409022">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-flights-take-off-from-kabul-as-evacuations-resume-409022/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Italy is now planning to commence a "second, more difficult phase" phase of evacuations soon now to help the remaining eligible Afghan nationals.

As per officials figures given by the ministers, more than 5,000 people are still struggling outside the Kabul airport with a hope of getting a chance to flee the Taliban control.

A few days after completing evacuation process from Afghanistan, Italy has now announced that it has taken one of the largest numbers of Afghans. "We are the EU country taking in the biggest number of Afghan evacuees," Luigi Di Maio, Italy’s Foreign Affairs minister said.

A few days after completing evacuation process from Afghanistan, Italy has now announced that it has taken one of the largest numbers of Afghans. "We are the EU country taking in the biggest number of Afghan evacuees," Luigi Di Maio, Italy’s Foreign Affairs minister said. Several countries from the West and East have been trying to evacuate their citizens, passport holders and Afghan allies since the Taliban took control of the country. Have a look | Afghanistan evacuations: Latest situation on the ground Western countries are now struggling to evacuate their citizens from Afghanistan now through the Kabul International Airport, before the deadline of August 31. Italy claims they have evacuated nearly 5,000 Afghan citizens since August 15 — when Taliban took over Afghanistan. Italy has evacuated 4,900 citizens and Germany has brought 4,000 Afghans. "There are still so many Afghan nationals waiting to be evacuated, and we can no longer do that with the airlift," Di Maio said. "Our imperative will be not to abandon the Afghan people, not to abandon Afghan women, or young Afghans and all those who over all these years have shown a great desire for evolution, for change." WATCH | Italy is now planning to commence a "second, more difficult phase" phase of evacuations soon now to help the remaining eligible Afghan nationals. As per officials figures given by the ministers, more than 5,000 people are still struggling outside the Kabul airport with a hope of getting a chance to flee the Taliban control.

Italy claims to have rescued most number of Afghan refugees in EU

A five-year-old boy fell from a window of the Sheffield Metropolitan Hotel on Blonk Street at 2.30pm on Wednesday. This boy was a refuge who had fled from Afghanistan, South Yorkshire police confirmed.<o:p></o:p>

The boy had arrived at the hotel four days ago. He had managed to escape his home country Afghanistan as the Taliban started taking control of the South Asian country.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-taliban-may-not-last-long-says-afghan-delegation-in-pakistan-406687" hreflang="en">LIVE Afghanistan: Taliban may not last long, says Afghan delegation in Pak</a></h2>

<o:p></o:p>

He died after plummeting from a window at the hotel.<o:p></o:p>

"I heard a big loud noise and then a couple of seconds later I heard the mother screaming, ‘my boy!’," one of the guests told the local media.<o:p></o:p>

As per local reports, the five-year-old boy was staying at the hotel with his mother, father, two brothers and two sisters.<o:p></o:p>

"We can confirm that the five-year-old boy who sadly lost his life is from Afghanistan," the South Yorkshire Police said in a statement.

<o:p></o:p>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-woman-child-lifted-over-kabul-airport-wall-by-us-soldiers-406985">Watch: Woman, child lifted over Kabul airport wall by US soldiers</a>

The family is being attended by specially trained officers, the police confirmed.<o:p></o:p>

Sheffield has been helping all Afghan refugees who have at some point helped the UK army and are now in danger due to the takeover of Taliban in Afghanistan.<o:p></o:p>

"We are seeing terrible scenes in Afghanistan and as a city we will not simply stand by when people are in crisis," said Sheffield City Council co-operative executive members Alison Teal and Paul Wood.<o:p></o:p>

A five-year-old boy fell from a window of the Sheffield Metropolitan Hotel on Blonk Street at 2.30pm on Wednesday. This boy was a refuge who had fled from Afghanistan, South Yorkshire police confirmed.

A five-year-old boy fell from a window of the Sheffield Metropolitan Hotel on Blonk Street at 2.30pm on Wednesday. This boy was a refuge who had fled from Afghanistan, South Yorkshire police confirmed. The boy had arrived at the hotel four days ago. He had managed to escape his home country Afghanistan as the Taliban started taking control of the South Asian country. LIVE Afghanistan: Taliban may not last long, says Afghan delegation in Pak He died after plummeting from a window at the hotel. "I heard a big loud noise and then a couple of seconds later I heard the mother screaming, ‘my boy!’," one of the guests told the local media. As per local reports, the five-year-old boy was staying at the hotel with his mother, father, two brothers and two sisters. "We can confirm that the five-year-old boy who sadly lost his life is from Afghanistan," the South Yorkshire Police said in a statement. Watch: Woman, child lifted over Kabul airport wall by US soldiers The family is being attended by specially trained officers, the police confirmed. Sheffield has been helping all Afghan refugees who have at some point helped the UK army and are now in danger due to the takeover of Taliban in Afghanistan. "We are seeing terrible scenes in Afghanistan and as a city we will not simply stand by when people are in crisis," said Sheffield City Council co-operative executive members Alison Teal and Paul Wood.

UK: 5 year old Afghan refugee dies after falling from hotel window

The United Nations on Thursday called for a ceasefire in the flashpoint Syrian province of Daraa where it said recent fighting forced 18,000 to flee.

Fighting between government forces and armed opposition groups in the southern province last month killed at least 28 people.

The clashes have died down over the past week but were the most intense since the government seized back control of the region from rebels in 2018.

"The escalation in hostilities has forced at least 18,000 civilians to flee Daraa al-Balad since 28 July," the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tigray-rebels-take-control-of-unesco-site-lalibela-residents-403258" hreflang="en">Tigray rebels take control of UNESCO site Lalibela: Residents</a>

The government attacks focused on Daraa al-Balad, a southern district of Daraa's provincial capital and a former opposition hub that continues to house ex-rebel fighters.

"There needs to be an immediate ceasefire to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Daraa," Bachelet said in a statement.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Russian-mediated ceasefire talks are underway between government forces and representatives of opposition fighters.

Russian-backed Syrian troops and allied forces recaptured Daraa province from rebels in 2018, in a symbolic blow to the anti-government uprising born in its provincial capital in 2011.&nbsp;

Thousands of fighters evacuated under a Moscow-brokered deal, but many former rebels also stayed on in the province, some joining the regime forces.

State institutions have returned to the province but the army has still not deployed in some areas including Daraa al-Balad.

Last month's clashes came after government forces tightened control around Daraa al-Balad in a bid to pressure opposition fighters there to withdraw to rebel-held territory in Syria's north.

"In recent days, they have only been allowing pedestrians out of Daraa al-Balad along the al-Saraya road, subjecting people to strict security checks," the UN said.

Bachelet said civilians in Daraa al-Balad were effectively "under siege".&nbsp;

"They are facing checkpoints, restrictions on their movements, tanks on the streets and their property is being seized and stolen," she said.

The United Nations on Thursday called for a ceasefire in the flashpoint Syrian province of Daraa where it said recent fighting forced 18,000 to flee. Fighting between government forces and armed opposition groups in the southern province last month killed at least 28 people.

The United Nations on Thursday called for a ceasefire in the flashpoint Syrian province of Daraa where it said recent fighting forced 18,000 to flee. Fighting between government forces and armed opposition groups in the southern province last month killed at least 28 people. The clashes have died down over the past week but were the most intense since the government seized back control of the region from rebels in 2018. "The escalation in hostilities has forced at least 18,000 civilians to flee Daraa al-Balad since 28 July," the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said. Also read | Tigray rebels take control of UNESCO site Lalibela: Residents The government attacks focused on Daraa al-Balad, a southern district of Daraa's provincial capital and a former opposition hub that continues to house ex-rebel fighters. "There needs to be an immediate ceasefire to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Daraa," Bachelet said in a statement. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Russian-mediated ceasefire talks are underway between government forces and representatives of opposition fighters. Russian-backed Syrian troops and allied forces recaptured Daraa province from rebels in 2018, in a symbolic blow to the anti-government uprising born in its provincial capital in 2011. Thousands of fighters evacuated under a Moscow-brokered deal, but many former rebels also stayed on in the province, some joining the regime forces. State institutions have returned to the province but the army has still not deployed in some areas including Daraa al-Balad. Last month's clashes came after government forces tightened control around Daraa al-Balad in a bid to pressure opposition fighters there to withdraw to rebel-held territory in Syria's north. "In recent days, they have only been allowing pedestrians out of Daraa al-Balad along the al-Saraya road, subjecting people to strict security checks," the UN said. Bachelet said civilians in Daraa al-Balad were effectively "under siege". "They are facing checkpoints, restrictions on their movements, tanks on the streets and their property is being seized and stolen," she said.

UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden?page=1">Joe Biden</a> announced Thursday that Hong Kong citizens currently in the United States who fear for their safety amid the political crackdown back home will receive temporary safe haven.

Biden said the move recognizes "the significant erosion" of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong by the Chinese government.

"By unilaterally imposing on Hong Kong the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People's Republic of China has undermined the enjoyment of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong," he said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-says-us-has-approved-potential-sales-of-howitzers-to-taiwan-402976" hreflang="en">Pentagon says US has approved potential sales of howitzers to Taiwan</a>

Biden cited the "politically motivated arrests" of more than 100 opposition politicians, activists and protestors on charges under the national security law, including allegations of secession, subversion and terrorist activities.

More than 10,000 others have been arrested in relation to anti-government protests, he said.

The new decision allows Hong Kong residents currently in the United States to remain for 18 months and to be allowed to work.

"This action demonstrates President Biden’s strong support for people in Hong Kong in the face of ongoing repression by the People’s Republic of China, and makes clear we will not stand idly by as the PRC breaks its promises to Hong Kong and to the international community," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-tells-florida-texas-leaders-to-help-on-covid-19-or-get-out-of-the-way-402737" hreflang="en">Biden tells Florida, Texas leaders to help on COVID-19 or 'get out of the way'</a>

Biden announced the Hong Kongers present in the United States as of Thursday would be granted "deferred enforced departure," (DED) similar to "temporary protected status" (TPS), which is given to foreign nationals stuck in the United States due to natural disasters or political upheavals back home.

TPS is a status assigned to countries by the Department of Homeland Security, while DED can be declared by the president under his own powers, according to a US government website.

Neither status is permanent but can be renewed regularly.

'Democracy has dimmed'

China introduced the national security law in Hong Kong on June 30, 2020, giving Beijing more power over the territory's judiciary and criminalizing many types of political activities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-set-target-of-half-of-us-car-sales-to-be-zero-emission-by-2030-white-house-403259" hreflang="en">Biden to set target of half of US car sales to be zero-emission by 2030: White House</a>

Critics say it is being used to undermine the "one country, two systems" architecture for the city's governance, established when Britain handed its former colony back to China in 1997.

The arrests of opposition politicians has stifled free speech and left activists in fear of detention or other punishment, including those overseas.

In June, Hong Kong police raided the offices of the feisty pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, shutting it down and arresting key executives.

Under the national security law, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "Hong Kong’s promise of democracy has dimmed."

"The PRC has fundamentally altered the bedrock of Hong Kong's institutions and suppressed freedoms of Hong Kongers," he said in a statement.

The decision to grant Hong Kongers safe haven is likely to further sour relations between Beijing and Washington, as the two sides face off over China's contested territorial claims to Taiwan and islands in the South China Sea, US allegations that China methodically steals American intellectual property, and the sweeping repression of Uyghurs and other minorities in China's western Xinjiang region.

China believes that the United States seeks to repress its metamorphosis into a global power.

When a top US diplomat, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, visited Beijing in July for talks, Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng said that Washington must stop seeing China as an "imaginary enemy."

"The hope may be that by demonizing China, the US could somehow... blame China for its own structural problems," Xie told her.

President Joe Biden announced Thursday that Hong Kong citizens currently in the United States who fear for their safety amid the political crackdown back home will receive temporary safe haven.

President Joe Biden announced Thursday that Hong Kong citizens currently in the United States who fear for their safety amid the political crackdown back home will receive temporary safe haven. Biden said the move recognizes "the significant erosion" of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong by the Chinese government. "By unilaterally imposing on Hong Kong the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People's Republic of China has undermined the enjoyment of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong," he said in a statement. Also read | Pentagon says US has approved potential sales of howitzers to Taiwan Biden cited the "politically motivated arrests" of more than 100 opposition politicians, activists and protestors on charges under the national security law, including allegations of secession, subversion and terrorist activities. More than 10,000 others have been arrested in relation to anti-government protests, he said. The new decision allows Hong Kong residents currently in the United States to remain for 18 months and to be allowed to work. "This action demonstrates President Biden’s strong support for people in Hong Kong in the face of ongoing repression by the People’s Republic of China, and makes clear we will not stand idly by as the PRC breaks its promises to Hong Kong and to the international community," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. Also read | Biden tells Florida, Texas leaders to help on COVID-19 or 'get out of the way' Biden announced the Hong Kongers present in the United States as of Thursday would be granted "deferred enforced departure," (DED) similar to "temporary protected status" (TPS), which is given to foreign nationals stuck in the United States due to natural disasters or political upheavals back home. TPS is a status assigned to countries by the Department of Homeland Security, while DED can be declared by the president under his own powers, according to a US government website. Neither status is permanent but can be renewed regularly. 'Democracy has dimmed' China introduced the national security law in Hong Kong on June 30, 2020, giving Beijing more power over the territory's judiciary and criminalizing many types of political activities. Also read | Biden to set target of half of US car sales to be zero-emission by 2030: White House Critics say it is being used to undermine the "one country, two systems" architecture for the city's governance, established when Britain handed its former colony back to China in 1997. The arrests of opposition politicians has stifled free speech and left activists in fear of detention or other punishment, including those overseas. In June, Hong Kong police raided the offices of the feisty pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, shutting it down and arresting key executives. Under the national security law, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "Hong Kong’s promise of democracy has dimmed." "The PRC has fundamentally altered the bedrock of Hong Kong's institutions and suppressed freedoms of Hong Kongers," he said in a statement. The decision to grant Hong Kongers safe haven is likely to further sour relations between Beijing and Washington, as the two sides face off over China's contested territorial claims to Taiwan and islands in the South China Sea, US allegations that China methodically steals American intellectual property, and the sweeping repression of Uyghurs and other minorities in China's western Xinjiang region. China believes that the United States seeks to repress its metamorphosis into a global power. When a top US diplomat, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, visited Beijing in July for talks, Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng said that Washington must stop seeing China as an "imaginary enemy." "The hope may be that by demonizing China, the US could somehow... blame China for its own structural problems," Xie told her.

Biden offers Hong Kongers in US safe haven

A Syrian Olympic boxer who fled to Germany six years ago after competing for his home country at the 2012 London Games plans to fight "for all refugees in the entire world" next month in Tokyo.

Tokyo Games: Syrian boxer to fight for all refugees

Canada will admit more refugees and their families this year as part of its effort to tackle a global crisis, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday. 
 
He said Canada will take nearly double the number of protected persons, defined as people, who have applied for and been granted refugee status after arriving in the country, as well as their immediate families abroad. The new target is 45,000, up from 23,500. 
 
Mendicino also said the government plans to spend an additional C$3 million ($2.4 million) over two years for refugee sponsorship and modestly expand a programme blending refugee resettlement with economic immigration. His announcement comes ahead of ahead of World Refugee Day on Sunday. 
 
"We hope to be able to facilitate their travel, obviously taking into consideration ongoing travel restrictions," Mendicino said, referring to refugees' family members. 
 
Canada aims to resettle 36,000 refugees this year - distinct from protected persons in that resettled refugees are referred directly to Canada by an agency like the UNHCR and have refugee status on arrival. Mendicino has said Canada may accept Central American migrants to help the United States, which is struggling to deal with an increase. 
 
The backlog of immigration applications for the family members of protected persons had been increasing before the pandemic and nearly doubled to 21,372 in January, 2021 from 11,177 in January, 2018, according to government data. 
 
Even as Canada prepares to accept more refugees, it has sought to prevent asylum-seekers from coming into the country via its land border - either through its Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States or through a COVID-19 policy being contested in court. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Canada will admit more refugees and their families this year as part of its effort to tackle a global crisis, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday.

Canada will admit more refugees and their families this year as part of its effort to tackle a global crisis, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday. He said Canada will take nearly double the number of protected persons, defined as people, who have applied for and been granted refugee status after arriving in the country, as well as their immediate families abroad. The new target is 45,000, up from 23,500. Mendicino also said the government plans to spend an additional C$3 million ($2.4 million) over two years for refugee sponsorship and modestly expand a programme blending refugee resettlement with economic immigration. His announcement comes ahead of ahead of World Refugee Day on Sunday. "We hope to be able to facilitate their travel, obviously taking into consideration ongoing travel restrictions," Mendicino said, referring to refugees' family members. Canada aims to resettle 36,000 refugees this year - distinct from protected persons in that resettled refugees are referred directly to Canada by an agency like the UNHCR and have refugee status on arrival. Mendicino has said Canada may accept Central American migrants to help the United States, which is struggling to deal with an increase. The backlog of immigration applications for the family members of protected persons had been increasing before the pandemic and nearly doubled to 21,372 in January, 2021 from 11,177 in January, 2018, according to government data. Even as Canada prepares to accept more refugees, it has sought to prevent asylum-seekers from coming into the country via its land border - either through its Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States or through a COVID-19 policy being contested in court. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada vows to nearly double intake of 'protected persons' as refugee family backlog grows

The number of people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and human rights abuses has doubled in the past decade to reach 82.4 million at the end of last year, the United Nations said on Friday.

"In the year of COVID, in a year in which movement was practically impossible for most of us... 3 million more people have been forcibly displaced," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi told Reuters.

Nearly 70 per cent of those affected are from just five countries - Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar - according to the annual report on forced displacement by the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-speeds-visas-for-vulnerable-afghans-as-pullout-looms-but-congress-wants-more-391762">US speeds visas for vulnerable Afghans as pullout looms, but Congress wants more</a>

"Trends have unfortunately continued. So if we had to work to update the figures... for the first six months of 2021, we will probably see a further increase from that 82.4 million," said Grandi. Around 42 per cent of those displaced were children.

He said the increase in those uprooted from their homes was partly fueled by new flashpoints, including northern Mozambique, West Africa's Sahel region, and Ethiopia's Tigray, along with flare-ups in long-running conflicts in Afghanistan and Somalia.

The United Nations is also preparing for a likely further displacement of civilians in Afghanistan after US&nbsp;and international troops leave the country in September, Grandi said&nbsp;earlier this week.

Amid a rise in populism and nationalism in global politics, Grandi called on world leaders to "stop demonizing people" that are forced to move.

"To say that the only way to address this population flow is by building walls or pushing people back at sea is morally despicable or unspeakable. These are human beings," Grandi said. "Whatever the motive for the flight or for the movement human beings deserve full dignity like everybody else."

Former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump took a hardline approach on border security and immigration. Grandi, who recently visited Washington, praised new President Joe Biden's pledge to "restore a US asylum system that is both effective and humane."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-allow-up-to-62500-refugees-into-us-after-criticism-over-delay-382707">Biden to allow up to 62,500 refugees into US after criticism over delay</a>

"It's very important that that pledge is carried out," he said. "The attitude that I heard in Washington is people that are in need of international protection will be given international protection, but we must make the system more effective otherwise abuses will happen, numbers will skyrocket."

The UNHCR report found that in 2020 just 34,400 refugees were formally resettled globally - one-third of the previous year. They were resettled in the United States,&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;and Europe.

The number of people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and human rights abuses has doubled in the past decade to reach 82.4 million at the end of last year, the United Nations said on Friday.

The number of people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and human rights abuses has doubled in the past decade to reach 82.4 million at the end of last year, the United Nations said on Friday. "In the year of COVID, in a year in which movement was practically impossible for most of us... 3 million more people have been forcibly displaced," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi told Reuters. Nearly 70 per cent of those affected are from just five countries - Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar - according to the annual report on forced displacement by the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR. Also read | US speeds visas for vulnerable Afghans as pullout looms, but Congress wants more "Trends have unfortunately continued. So if we had to work to update the figures... for the first six months of 2021, we will probably see a further increase from that 82.4 million," said Grandi. Around 42 per cent of those displaced were children. He said the increase in those uprooted from their homes was partly fueled by new flashpoints, including northern Mozambique, West Africa's Sahel region, and Ethiopia's Tigray, along with flare-ups in long-running conflicts in Afghanistan and Somalia. The United Nations is also preparing for a likely further displacement of civilians in Afghanistan after US and international troops leave the country in September, Grandi said earlier this week. Amid a rise in populism and nationalism in global politics, Grandi called on world leaders to "stop demonizing people" that are forced to move. "To say that the only way to address this population flow is by building walls or pushing people back at sea is morally despicable or unspeakable. These are human beings," Grandi said. "Whatever the motive for the flight or for the movement human beings deserve full dignity like everybody else." Former US President Donald Trump took a hardline approach on border security and immigration. Grandi, who recently visited Washington, praised new President Joe Biden's pledge to "restore a US asylum system that is both effective and humane." Also read | Biden to allow up to 62,500 refugees into US after criticism over delay "It's very important that that pledge is carried out," he said. "The attitude that I heard in Washington is people that are in need of international protection will be given international protection, but we must make the system more effective otherwise abuses will happen, numbers will skyrocket." The UNHCR report found that in 2020 just 34,400 refugees were formally resettled globally - one-third of the previous year. They were resettled in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Amid pandemic, number of people forced to flee homes has risen, says UN

President Joe Biden announced on Monday, after coming under fierce criticism, that he was raising the maximum number of&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;allowed into the United States this year to 62,500 -- up from the 15,000 cap imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump.

The change follows backlash from allies over Biden's earlier decision to keep the Trump-era limits -- a politically costly moment of confusion that stood out in a White House notable for its iron discipline in its first three months.

"This erases the historically low number set by the previous administration of 15,000, which did not reflect America's values as a nation that welcomes and supports&nbsp;refugees," Biden said in a statement.

Also read: <a href="Joe Biden urges everyone to get vaccinated at 'Vax Live' concert event">Joe Biden urges everyone to get vaccinated at 'Vax Live' concert event</a>

"The new&nbsp;admissions&nbsp;cap will also reinforce efforts that are already underway to expand the United States' capacity to admit&nbsp;refugees, so that we can reach the goal of 125,000&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;admissions&nbsp;that I intend to set for the coming fiscal year."

The programme is only for&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;selected by US security and intelligence agencies from United Nations camps around the world.

The course correction was quickly welcomed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is controlled by Biden's Democratic party.

"I welcome the Biden administration's announcement that it will increase the number of&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;allowed to be resettled in the United States. This is an important step in continuing our proud, bipartisan tradition of providing&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;protection through resettlement," the committee chairman, Senator Bob Menendez, tweeted.

The American Civil Liberties Union, a powerful advocacy group, also voiced approval, saying that the country's "reputation" was at stake.

"We are pleased to see President Biden has abandoned the Trump administration’s abysmal&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;goal and recommitted to prioritizing helping people who are fleeing persecution around the globe," ACLU representative Manar Waheed said.

"We recognise that the goal may not be easy and it requires rebuilding a system that was decimated by the Trump administration, but candidate Biden promised," Waheed said. "He must fulfill that promise, lives are at stake."

Trump clamped down on&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;as part of the hardline border policies at the heart of his nationalist political platform.

Biden campaigned on promises to restore more traditional US attitudes. But he then backtracked after his government ran into difficulties in handling a surge of migrants entering the country illegally or claiming asylum at the Mexican border.

Last month, the White House said it needed more time to "rebuild" the post-Trump&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;program and would therefore keep the cap at 15,000 for the year.

After a top Democrat and&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;aid groups slammed Biden's target as "appallingly low" and "deeply disappointing," the White House issued a statement hours later saying the low number was only provisional.

In another shift from Trump's policies, Biden announced in April that quotas were being expanded for&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;from Central America, the Middle East and Africa, while also opening the doors to three mostly Muslim countries -- Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

With Monday's announcement, the White House will hope to have calmed the political waters among Democrats just when it needs party unity to push forward on huge proposed social and infrastructure spending plans in an almost evenly divided Congress.

"We are amid the largest global&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;crisis in history, and after four years of slashing admittances to the lowest point on record, we need to return to our leadership position," another Democratic senator, Tim Kaine, said.

"I am heartened by today's announcement that moved toward upholding our values of accepting&nbsp;refugees."

Trump set the 15,000 cap nearly a month before the November 2020 presidential election, which he lost.

Under his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama, with whom Biden served as vice president, an average of 100,000 people were welcomed into the United States each year.

"It is in our DNA as a nation to open our door to those seeking refuge," said US secretary of state Antony Blinken in response to Biden's announcement Monday.

"It remains in our national interest to treat individuals applying for these programs fairly and with dignity and respect."

President Joe Biden announced on Monday, after coming under fierce criticism, that he was raising the maximum number of refugees allowed into the United States this year to 62,500 -- up from the 15,000 cap imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump.

President Joe Biden announced on Monday, after coming under fierce criticism, that he was raising the maximum number of refugees allowed into the United States this year to 62,500 -- up from the 15,000 cap imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump. The change follows backlash from allies over Biden's earlier decision to keep the Trump-era limits -- a politically costly moment of confusion that stood out in a White House notable for its iron discipline in its first three months. "This erases the historically low number set by the previous administration of 15,000, which did not reflect America's values as a nation that welcomes and supports refugees," Biden said in a statement. Also read: Joe Biden urges everyone to get vaccinated at 'Vax Live' concert event "The new admissions cap will also reinforce efforts that are already underway to expand the United States' capacity to admit refugees, so that we can reach the goal of 125,000 refugee admissions that I intend to set for the coming fiscal year." The programme is only for refugees selected by US security and intelligence agencies from United Nations camps around the world. The course correction was quickly welcomed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is controlled by Biden's Democratic party. "I welcome the Biden administration's announcement that it will increase the number of refugees allowed to be resettled in the United States. This is an important step in continuing our proud, bipartisan tradition of providing refugees protection through resettlement," the committee chairman, Senator Bob Menendez, tweeted. The American Civil Liberties Union, a powerful advocacy group, also voiced approval, saying that the country's "reputation" was at stake. "We are pleased to see President Biden has abandoned the Trump administration’s abysmal refugee goal and recommitted to prioritizing helping people who are fleeing persecution around the globe," ACLU representative Manar Waheed said. "We recognise that the goal may not be easy and it requires rebuilding a system that was decimated by the Trump administration, but candidate Biden promised," Waheed said. "He must fulfill that promise, lives are at stake." Trump clamped down on refugees as part of the hardline border policies at the heart of his nationalist political platform. Biden campaigned on promises to restore more traditional US attitudes. But he then backtracked after his government ran into difficulties in handling a surge of migrants entering the country illegally or claiming asylum at the Mexican border. Last month, the White House said it needed more time to "rebuild" the post-Trump refugee program and would therefore keep the cap at 15,000 for the year. After a top Democrat and refugee aid groups slammed Biden's target as "appallingly low" and "deeply disappointing," the White House issued a statement hours later saying the low number was only provisional. In another shift from Trump's policies, Biden announced in April that quotas were being expanded for refugees from Central America, the Middle East and Africa, while also opening the doors to three mostly Muslim countries -- Somalia, Syria and Yemen. With Monday's announcement, the White House will hope to have calmed the political waters among Democrats just when it needs party unity to push forward on huge proposed social and infrastructure spending plans in an almost evenly divided Congress. "We are amid the largest global refugee crisis in history, and after four years of slashing admittances to the lowest point on record, we need to return to our leadership position," another Democratic senator, Tim Kaine, said. "I am heartened by today's announcement that moved toward upholding our values of accepting refugees." Trump set the 15,000 cap nearly a month before the November 2020 presidential election, which he lost. Under his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama, with whom Biden served as vice president, an average of 100,000 people were welcomed into the United States each year. "It is in our DNA as a nation to open our door to those seeking refuge," said US secretary of state Antony Blinken in response to Biden's announcement Monday. "It remains in our national interest to treat individuals applying for these programs fairly and with dignity and respect."

Biden to allow up to 62,500 refugees into US after criticism over delay

Pope Francis made a rare Sunday outing from Vatican grounds to celebrate a mass on "divine mercy" with prisoners, refugees and health workers.

The service was held in a church just off St Peter's Square, in front of a reduced congregation of about 80 people, due to coronavirus restrictions.&nbsp;

Among them, there were inmates of two Roman prisons and one youth detention centre; refugees from Syria, Nigeria and Egypt; and nursing staff from a nearby hospital.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pope-francis-calls-for-equitable-vaccine-distributions-375338" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/pope-francis-calls-for-equitable-vaccine-distributions-375338&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiL66_A-fXvAhWKyDgGHYRBAMYQFjACegQICBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ybSB0I8lKq4MYC6DYUwJH" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pope-francis-calls-for-equitable-vaccine-distributions-375338" target="_blank">Pope Francis&nbsp;calls for equitable vaccine distributions</a>

In his homily, the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics stressed the importance for Christians of serving others.

"Sister, brother, do you want proof that God has touched your life? See if you can stoop to bind the wounds of others," he said.&nbsp;

"Let us not remain indifferent. Let us not live a one-way faith, a faith that receives but does not give... Having received mercy, let us now become merciful," Francis added.

The pope, who is 84 and was vaccinated for the coronavirus ahead of his trip to Iraq in early March, did not wear a face mask during the service.

Those who did readings from the bible were also unmasked, while everybody else in the church, including altar boys and other priests, had their masks on.

Pope Francis made a rare Sunday outing from Vatican grounds to celebrate a mass on "divine mercy" with prisoners, refugees and health workers. The service was held in a church just off St Peter's Square, in front of a reduced congregation of about 80 people, due to coronavirus restrictions.

Pope Francis made a rare Sunday outing from Vatican grounds to celebrate a mass on "divine mercy" with prisoners, refugees and health workers. The service was held in a church just off St Peter's Square, in front of a reduced congregation of about 80 people, due to coronavirus restrictions. Among them, there were inmates of two Roman prisons and one youth detention centre; refugees from Syria, Nigeria and Egypt; and nursing staff from a nearby hospital. Also read | Pope Francis calls for equitable vaccine distributions In his homily, the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics stressed the importance for Christians of serving others. "Sister, brother, do you want proof that God has touched your life? See if you can stoop to bind the wounds of others," he said. "Let us not remain indifferent. Let us not live a one-way faith, a faith that receives but does not give... Having received mercy, let us now become merciful," Francis added. The pope, who is 84 and was vaccinated for the coronavirus ahead of his trip to Iraq in early March, did not wear a face mask during the service. Those who did readings from the bible were also unmasked, while everybody else in the church, including altar boys and other priests, had their masks on.

Pope celebrates mass of 'mercy' with prisoners, refugees

Kenya’s high court has temporarily blocked the closure of two refugee camps that are hosting more than 400,000 people, as per media reports.

The decision came after Kenyan Interior Minister Fred Matiang’i announced the government’s plan to shut down the Dadaab and Kakuma camp.

After the announcement, the Kenyan government gave the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) two weeks to present a plan to shut down these camps.

The government, labelling it as an “ultimatum”, warned there was no room for negotiation.

However, the high court issued a stay on the closure for the next 30 days, as per local media, after a local politician had challenged this move.

“The decision would have an impact on the protection of refugees in Kenya, including in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” UNHCR said in a statement.

These refugee camps in question host about 400,000 people from Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia and such countries.

Kenyan minister had asked for closure of these camps stating these camps were a national security concern. However, the high court called this move ‘unconstitutional’.

Kenya’s high court has temporarily blocked the closure of two refugee camps that are hosting more than 400,000 people, as per media reports. The decision came after Kenyan Interior Minister Fred Matiang’i announced the government’s plan to shut down the Dadaab and Kakuma camp.

Kenya’s high court has temporarily blocked the closure of two refugee camps that are hosting more than 400,000 people, as per media reports. The decision came after Kenyan Interior Minister Fred Matiang’i announced the government’s plan to shut down the Dadaab and Kakuma camp. After the announcement, the Kenyan government gave the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) two weeks to present a plan to shut down these camps. The government, labelling it as an “ultimatum”, warned there was no room for negotiation. However, the high court issued a stay on the closure for the next 30 days, as per local media, after a local politician had challenged this move. “The decision would have an impact on the protection of refugees in Kenya, including in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” UNHCR said in a statement. These refugee camps in question host about 400,000 people from Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia and such countries. Kenyan minister had asked for closure of these camps stating these camps were a national security concern. However, the high court called this move ‘unconstitutional’.

Kenya high court blocks closure of refugee camps housing 400,000 people

An international aid group on Monday denounced the destruction of its facilities at refugee camps caught up in the brutal conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region.

The damage was confirmed using satellite imagery depicting the two camps for Eritrean refugees, known as Hitsats and Shimelba, the Norwegian Refugee Council said in a statement.

"We condemn the criminal destruction of our buildings and facilities that we set up to serve refugees in great need," Jan Egeland, NRC's secretary-general, said in a statement.

"This rampage of burning and looting by armed men deepens an already dire crisis for millions of people."

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner, announced military operations against leaders of Tigray's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), in early November.

He said they were prompted by TPLF-orchestrated attacks on federal army camps in the region.

Within weeks, Hitsats and Shimelba saw fighting including intense gun battles, according to residents, and the two camps remain inaccessible to the UN refugee agency and its Ethiopian counterpart.

Former residents of Hitsats have told AFP that pro-TPLF forces and Eritrean forces fighting for Abiy committed abuses there including killings and abductions.

Some refugees, who have since fled to other another camp in southern Tigray, said Eritrean soldiers were in control of Hitsats by early January and forced everyone to leave.

Last week DX Open Network, a British investigations firm, released satellite imagery showing widespread damage to both Hitsats and Shimelba.

"There are clear and consistent patterns across both camps over a two-month period demonstrating that these refugee camps were systematically targeted despite their protected humanitarian status," it said in a statement.&nbsp;

Eritrea and Ethiopia deny that Eritrean soldiers are involved in the Tigray conflict.

But their presence has been described by residents, aid workers and even some civilian and military officials in Tigray.

The European Union on Monday called for Eritrean forces to withdraw from the region, saying they were "fuelling the conflict in Tigray, reportedly committing atrocities, and exacerbating ethnic violence."

The US has issued a similar call, drawing a rebuke last week from Eritrea, which accused Washington of floating "false and presumptive allegations".

An international aid group on Monday denounced the destruction of its facilities at refugee camps caught up in the brutal conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region.

An international aid group on Monday denounced the destruction of its facilities at refugee camps caught up in the brutal conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region. The damage was confirmed using satellite imagery depicting the two camps for Eritrean refugees, known as Hitsats and Shimelba, the Norwegian Refugee Council said in a statement. "We condemn the criminal destruction of our buildings and facilities that we set up to serve refugees in great need," Jan Egeland, NRC's secretary-general, said in a statement. "This rampage of burning and looting by armed men deepens an already dire crisis for millions of people." Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner, announced military operations against leaders of Tigray's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), in early November. He said they were prompted by TPLF-orchestrated attacks on federal army camps in the region. Within weeks, Hitsats and Shimelba saw fighting including intense gun battles, according to residents, and the two camps remain inaccessible to the UN refugee agency and its Ethiopian counterpart. Former residents of Hitsats have told AFP that pro-TPLF forces and Eritrean forces fighting for Abiy committed abuses there including killings and abductions. Some refugees, who have since fled to other another camp in southern Tigray, said Eritrean soldiers were in control of Hitsats by early January and forced everyone to leave. Last week DX Open Network, a British investigations firm, released satellite imagery showing widespread damage to both Hitsats and Shimelba. "There are clear and consistent patterns across both camps over a two-month period demonstrating that these refugee camps were systematically targeted despite their protected humanitarian status," it said in a statement. Eritrea and Ethiopia deny that Eritrean soldiers are involved in the Tigray conflict. But their presence has been described by residents, aid workers and even some civilian and military officials in Tigray. The European Union on Monday called for Eritrean forces to withdraw from the region, saying they were "fuelling the conflict in Tigray, reportedly committing atrocities, and exacerbating ethnic violence." The US has issued a similar call, drawing a rebuke last week from Eritrea, which accused Washington of floating "false and presumptive allegations".

Refugee group condemns damage at camps hit by Tigray war

After halting the refugee intake for nearly a year, New Zealand said it will start receiving refugees again from this month.

The island-country had shut the refugee intake for nearly a year to stop the possible spread of the deadly coronavirus.

On Friday, the Jacinda Ardern-led government announced they will be resuming the refugee intake now, with the first group arriving soon.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/here-are-top-10-countries-that-battled-covid-pandemic-the-best-359883">Here are top 10 countries that battled COVID pandemic the best</a>

The first group will be of 35 refugees, who will be arriving in February itself and nearly 210 refugees coming to the country by the end of June, Immigration New Zealand officials reported.

"With health protocols in place and safe travel routes, we are ready to welcome small groups of refugee families as New Zealand residents to this country, to begin their new lives," Fiona Whiteridge, general manager for refugee and migrant services at Immigration New Zealand, said in a statement.

All arriving refugees, however, will still have to complete a compulsory 14-day quarantine stay in isolation facilities which will be managed by the New Zealand government.

This decision has been appreciated by the experts who had expected an increased intake of refugees (from 1,000 per year to 1,500) from last year itself, which was not carried out due to coronavirus.

Now, the intake has resumed as New Zealand was one of the first countries to completely eliminate coronavirus from within their borders and continues to be a country with zero domestically-bred cases and deaths.

Till now, New Zealand has had 62 current coronavirus cases, taking the tally to 1,959, with the latest one being reported on Friday at a coronavirus quarantine facility.&nbsp;

After halting the refugee intake for nearly a year, New Zealand said it will start receiving refugees again from this month. The island-country had shut the refugee intake for nearly a year to stop the possible spread of the deadly coronavirus.

After halting the refugee intake for nearly a year, New Zealand said it will start receiving refugees again from this month. The island-country had shut the refugee intake for nearly a year to stop the possible spread of the deadly coronavirus. On Friday, the Jacinda Ardern-led government announced they will be resuming the refugee intake now, with the first group arriving soon. Also read| Here are top 10 countries that battled COVID pandemic the best The first group will be of 35 refugees, who will be arriving in February itself and nearly 210 refugees coming to the country by the end of June, Immigration New Zealand officials reported. "With health protocols in place and safe travel routes, we are ready to welcome small groups of refugee families as New Zealand residents to this country, to begin their new lives," Fiona Whiteridge, general manager for refugee and migrant services at Immigration New Zealand, said in a statement. All arriving refugees, however, will still have to complete a compulsory 14-day quarantine stay in isolation facilities which will be managed by the New Zealand government. This decision has been appreciated by the experts who had expected an increased intake of refugees (from 1,000 per year to 1,500) from last year itself, which was not carried out due to coronavirus. Now, the intake has resumed as New Zealand was one of the first countries to completely eliminate coronavirus from within their borders and continues to be a country with zero domestically-bred cases and deaths. Till now, New Zealand has had 62 current coronavirus cases, taking the tally to 1,959, with the latest one being reported on Friday at a coronavirus quarantine facility.

New Zealand to resume refugee intake with 35 arriving in February

Syrian refugee camp in northern Lebanon was set on fire on Saturday night after a fight between members of the camp and a local Lebanese family, said state media. United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, confirmed that a large fire had broken out in the camp and that the injured were taken to the hospital. The refugee camp is located in Miniyeh region of Lebanon.

"The fire has spread to all the tented shelters" -- made of plastic sheeting and wood -- UNHCR spokesman Khaled Kabbara told AFP.&nbsp;

The camp housed around 75 families, he said.

Lebanon's army said it had arrested 8 people in connection with the incident. Two of the arrested are Lebanese while six are Syrians.

"The Lebanese men fired bullets in the air and torched the tents of Syrian refugees," it said.

Lebanon's National News Agency earlier&nbsp;reported that the fire started after "altercation" between a member of a Lebanese family and "Syrian workers"

Other youths from the Lebanese family then "set fire to some of the refugees' tents", the NNA added.&nbsp;

The report said that Lebanese Civil Defence fought the blaze while army and police were deployed to restore calm.

A security source told AFP that the fight in the Bhanine area was sparked when Syrian workers demanded a wage which their employers refused to pay.

However, the same source said later that initial inquiries found the dispute could have been sparked by the harassment of a Syrian woman. &nbsp;

Lebanon says it hosts some 1.5 million Syrians, including around one million registered as refugees with the United Nations.

Authorities have called on refugees to return to Syria even though rights groups warn that the war-torn country is not yet safe.

(With AFP inputs)

Syrian refugee camp in northern Lebanon was set on fire on Saturday night after a fight between members of the camp and a local Lebanese family, said state media.

Syrian refugee camp in northern Lebanon was set on fire on Saturday night after a fight between members of the camp and a local Lebanese family, said state media. United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, confirmed that a large fire had broken out in the camp and that the injured were taken to the hospital. The refugee camp is located in Miniyeh region of Lebanon. "The fire has spread to all the tented shelters" -- made of plastic sheeting and wood -- UNHCR spokesman Khaled Kabbara told AFP. The camp housed around 75 families, he said. Lebanon's army said it had arrested 8 people in connection with the incident. Two of the arrested are Lebanese while six are Syrians. "The Lebanese men fired bullets in the air and torched the tents of Syrian refugees," it said. Lebanon's National News Agency earlier reported that the fire started after "altercation" between a member of a Lebanese family and "Syrian workers" Other youths from the Lebanese family then "set fire to some of the refugees' tents", the NNA added. The report said that Lebanese Civil Defence fought the blaze while army and police were deployed to restore calm. A security source told AFP that the fight in the Bhanine area was sparked when Syrian workers demanded a wage which their employers refused to pay. However, the same source said later that initial inquiries found the dispute could have been sparked by the harassment of a Syrian woman. Lebanon says it hosts some 1.5 million Syrians, including around one million registered as refugees with the United Nations. Authorities have called on refugees to return to Syria even though rights groups warn that the war-torn country is not yet safe. (With AFP inputs)

Lebanon: Syrian refugee camp set on fire after fight between refugees and locals

Aid and human rights groups have said the best way to stop the journeys is to provide safe routes for people to seek asylum in the UK.

UK, France sign new deal to curb Channel refugee crossings

Along the dock, over 2000 people, who have recently arrived from africa, are living in conditions that an immigration judge has called inhumane and degrading

Canary Islands: Demonstrators gather to protest conditions of refugee

Most of the asylum seekers who were left homeless after fires ripped through their camp on Lesbos island have moved to a new temporary site, Greece's migration ministry said on Saturday.&nbsp;

Forced to sleep rough for days after the blazes wrecked their Moria camp last week, roughly 9,000 of the 12,700 homeless have now settled at the hastily built site of white tents.

Some have resisted entering the new camp fearing they may get stuck there, but a police operation combined with threats to discard the asylum requests of those who refuse has helped to push thousands into the facility.

The destruction of Moria, a notoriously overcrowded and dirty camp, strengthened calls from locals and humanitarian organisations for the migrants to be moved off the island.

Six Afghans have been arrested over the blazes, the first of which happened on September 8 shortly after 35 people were found to have contracted coronavirus.

The UN refugee agency has warned Greece that the new camp can only be temporary, saying on Friday that "what may be deemed adequate in terms of shelter and services during emergency situations is not appropriate for the longer-term".

All those entering the camp are given a virus test and 214 cases have so far been detected, according to the migration ministry.

Access to all migrant camps has been restricted since March because of the pandemic -- a move criticised by aid groups that point out that measures began to be lifted elsewhere in Greece in May. 
&nbsp;

Most of the asylum seekers who were left homeless after fires ripped through their camp on Lesbos island have moved to a new temporary site, Greece's migration ministry said on Saturday.

Most of the asylum seekers who were left homeless after fires ripped through their camp on Lesbos island have moved to a new temporary site, Greece's migration ministry said on Saturday. Forced to sleep rough for days after the blazes wrecked their Moria camp last week, roughly 9,000 of the 12,700 homeless have now settled at the hastily built site of white tents. Some have resisted entering the new camp fearing they may get stuck there, but a police operation combined with threats to discard the asylum requests of those who refuse has helped to push thousands into the facility. The destruction of Moria, a notoriously overcrowded and dirty camp, strengthened calls from locals and humanitarian organisations for the migrants to be moved off the island. Six Afghans have been arrested over the blazes, the first of which happened on September 8 shortly after 35 people were found to have contracted coronavirus. The UN refugee agency has warned Greece that the new camp can only be temporary, saying on Friday that "what may be deemed adequate in terms of shelter and services during emergency situations is not appropriate for the longer-term". All those entering the camp are given a virus test and 214 cases have so far been detected, according to the migration ministry. Access to all migrant camps has been restricted since March because of the pandemic -- a move criticised by aid groups that point out that measures began to be lifted elsewhere in Greece in May.

Most homeless Lesbos migrants head to new camp after fire

Half of all refugee children were already out of school before the coronavirus hit, and the UN cautioned Thursday the pandemic risked deepening a crisis robbing millions of future prospects.

A new report from the UNHCR refugee agency warned that many refugee children, especially girls, who had attended school before the novel coronavirus swept the world would not be able to return.

"After everything they have endured, we cannot rob them of their futures by denying them an education today," UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said in a statement, calling for action to support refugees' right to an education.

The report, using data from 12 countries that host more than half of the world's refugee children, found that more than 1.8 million of them — or a full 48 per cent of all refugee children of school age — are out of school.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-migrants-moved-off-banksy-funded-rescue-vessel-stranded-in-mediterranean-324157">Also read:&nbsp;All migrants moved off Banksy-funded rescue vessel stranded in Mediterranean</a>

Attendance is particularly lacklustre in secondary school and higher.

Around 77 per cent of the refugee children were enrolled in primary school, but only 31 per cent attended secondary school and three per cent were in higher education, the report showed.

While the UNHCR said a shift in methodology made it difficult to compare with data from previous years, it noted the statistics, dire as they look, actually represent a small improvement.&nbsp;

A 2019 report indicated that only one percent of refugees worldwide were in higher education.

But the pandemic is now threatening to undo even the small advances made, it said.

'Chilling prediction'

The report found that while children in every country have been hit by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures put in place to rein in the virus, refugee children have been especially disadvantaged.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-migrant-arrivals-fuel-local-anger-in-italys-lampedusa-324133">Also read:&nbsp;More migrant arrivals fuel local anger in Italy's Lampedusa</a>

Refugee children are far more likely than others to face difficulty returning to their studies, with many refugee families no longer able to afford school fees, uniforms and books as income sources dry up.

They are also less likely to have access to the technologies needed for remote learning and could be required to work to help keep their struggling families afloat.

This is particularly true for refugee girls, who already had less access to education than boys.

By the time they reach secondary level, refugee girls are half as likely as their male peers to be enrolled in school, according to UNHCR, warning the coronavirus crisis risked making the gender disparities worse.

Using UNHCR data, the Malala Fund, which works towards removing barriers preventing girls from going to school, &nbsp;estimated that a full half of all refugee girls who were attending secondary school when the pandemic hit will not return when classrooms reopen this month.

And in countries where less than 10 percent of refugee girls were enrolled in secondary school, all of them were at risk of dropping out for good.

That, UNHCR underlined, is "a chilling prediction that would have an impact for generations to come."

Half of all refugee children were already out of school before the coronavirus hit, and the UN cautioned Thursday the pandemic risked deepening a crisis robbing millions of future prospects.

Half of all refugee children were already out of school before the coronavirus hit, and the UN cautioned Thursday the pandemic risked deepening a crisis robbing millions of future prospects. A new report from the UNHCR refugee agency warned that many refugee children, especially girls, who had attended school before the novel coronavirus swept the world would not be able to return. "After everything they have endured, we cannot rob them of their futures by denying them an education today," UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said in a statement, calling for action to support refugees' right to an education. The report, using data from 12 countries that host more than half of the world's refugee children, found that more than 1.8 million of them — or a full 48 per cent of all refugee children of school age — are out of school. Also read: All migrants moved off Banksy-funded rescue vessel stranded in Mediterranean Attendance is particularly lacklustre in secondary school and higher. Around 77 per cent of the refugee children were enrolled in primary school, but only 31 per cent attended secondary school and three per cent were in higher education, the report showed. While the UNHCR said a shift in methodology made it difficult to compare with data from previous years, it noted the statistics, dire as they look, actually represent a small improvement. A 2019 report indicated that only one percent of refugees worldwide were in higher education. But the pandemic is now threatening to undo even the small advances made, it said. 'Chilling prediction' The report found that while children in every country have been hit by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures put in place to rein in the virus, refugee children have been especially disadvantaged. Also read: More migrant arrivals fuel local anger in Italy's Lampedusa Refugee children are far more likely than others to face difficulty returning to their studies, with many refugee families no longer able to afford school fees, uniforms and books as income sources dry up. They are also less likely to have access to the technologies needed for remote learning and could be required to work to help keep their struggling families afloat. This is particularly true for refugee girls, who already had less access to education than boys. By the time they reach secondary level, refugee girls are half as likely as their male peers to be enrolled in school, according to UNHCR, warning the coronavirus crisis risked making the gender disparities worse. Using UNHCR data, the Malala Fund, which works towards removing barriers preventing girls from going to school, estimated that a full half of all refugee girls who were attending secondary school when the pandemic hit will not return when classrooms reopen this month. And in countries where less than 10 percent of refugee girls were enrolled in secondary school, all of them were at risk of dropping out for good. That, UNHCR underlined, is "a chilling prediction that would have an impact for generations to come."

Pandemic threatens refugee children's limited schooling: UN

United Nations' World Refugee Day on Saturday (June 20), will be the same as every day for Marwan Kuwaik, a 70-year-old Palestinian in Gaza, who will be focused on trying to eke out a living by selling snack food on the street. This year's event is aimed at reminding the world that everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society, the U.N. said on its website.

On World Refugee Day, Palestinian tries to scrape by in Gaza

Bulgaria's defence minister has hit out at "unreasonable" Greek plans to build a camp near their border to shelter asylum seekers amid a migration surge from Turkey.

"The accommodation by the Greek side of illegal migrants near our border is a pre-requisite for building up of additional tensions. This is not good-neighbourly and is unreasonable!" Krasimir Karakachanov posted late Monday on Facebook.

The comments came after Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachi announced over the weekend that Athens wanted to build two closed centres in the northern region of Serres that borders Bulgaria and in the Athens area with 1,000 places.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-some-eu-countries-are-struggling-to-relocate-migrants-265965">Why some EU countries are struggling to relocate migrants</a>

Greece already struggling to accommodate thousands of asylum-seekers stranded in the country has come under even more pressure since Turkey stopped preventing migrants and asylum seekers from leaving for EU territory.

"The Bulgarian army is on standby, and I guarantee that I won't allow a new migration wave to our country," wrote Karakachanov, the leader of the nationalist VMRO party, a junior coalition partner in the government.

"Bulgaria will not pay other people's bills".

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrants-head-to-greece-as-turkey-opens-floodgates-283547">Migrants head to Greece as Turkey opens floodgates</a>

Bulgaria borders on both Greece and Turkey to the southeast but has so far not seen an influx of asylum seekers.

Conservative prime minister Boyko Borisov recently welcomed what he said was "zero migration" thanks to a barbed-wire fence Bulgaria built on the 259-kilometre (160-mile) border with Turkey and his close ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Bulgaria's 493-kilometre border with Greece is guarded by border police and has also has not seen any pressure recently.

In talks with Erdogan last week in Ankara, Borisov proposed undertaking "actions which would contribute to solving the crisis in Syria and stop migration pressure" on the region.

He has long pressed for the setting up of closed security centres for asylum seekers outside the EU, funded by the bloc.

Bulgaria's defence minister has hit out at "unreasonable" Greek plans to build a camp near their border to shelter asylum seekers amid a migration surge from Turkey.

Bulgaria's defence minister has hit out at "unreasonable" Greek plans to build a camp near their border to shelter asylum seekers amid a migration surge from Turkey. "The accommodation by the Greek side of illegal migrants near our border is a pre-requisite for building up of additional tensions. This is not good-neighbourly and is unreasonable!" Krasimir Karakachanov posted late Monday on Facebook. The comments came after Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachi announced over the weekend that Athens wanted to build two closed centres in the northern region of Serres that borders Bulgaria and in the Athens area with 1,000 places. Also Read: Why some EU countries are struggling to relocate migrants Greece already struggling to accommodate thousands of asylum-seekers stranded in the country has come under even more pressure since Turkey stopped preventing migrants and asylum seekers from leaving for EU territory. "The Bulgarian army is on standby, and I guarantee that I won't allow a new migration wave to our country," wrote Karakachanov, the leader of the nationalist VMRO party, a junior coalition partner in the government. "Bulgaria will not pay other people's bills". Also Read: Migrants head to Greece as Turkey opens floodgates Bulgaria borders on both Greece and Turkey to the southeast but has so far not seen an influx of asylum seekers. Conservative prime minister Boyko Borisov recently welcomed what he said was "zero migration" thanks to a barbed-wire fence Bulgaria built on the 259-kilometre (160-mile) border with Turkey and his close ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Bulgaria's 493-kilometre border with Greece is guarded by border police and has also has not seen any pressure recently. In talks with Erdogan last week in Ankara, Borisov proposed undertaking "actions which would contribute to solving the crisis in Syria and stop migration pressure" on the region. He has long pressed for the setting up of closed security centres for asylum seekers outside the EU, funded by the bloc.

Bulgaria opposes Greek plans for refugee camp near border

As the fighting continues nearly one million people have been uprooted from their homes in Idlib. Since the start of Syria's civil war in 2011, the country has never seen so many people displaced in such a short time. Watch report:

Syrian refugee crisis: Syrians find shelter in caves

WION Dispatch: Syrians Find Shelter in Caves

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-states-pledge-more-than-3-billion-for-refugees-asylum-rights-under-threat-269069">United States</a> began flying Mexican deportees deep into Mexico on Thursday, and senior US&nbsp;and Guatemalan officials said Mexicans seeking US&nbsp;refuge might be sent to the Central American nation, in a renewed effort to slash border crossings.

The flight carrying Mexican deportees from Tucson, Arizona, landed in the central city of Guadalajara around midday. One immigration shelter in the city said it had been informed of a likely influx of deportees.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-have-no-proof-i-want-an-immediate-trial-trump-on-impeachment-proceedings-269248">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a> has made clamping down on unlawful migration a top priority of his three-year-old term in office and his 2020 re-election campaign.

Numbers of Central American migrants apprehended at the border fell sharply in the second part of 2019 after Mexico deployed National Guard troops to stem the flow, under pressure from Trump.

With fewer Central Americans at the border, US&nbsp;attention has turned to Mexicans crossing illegally or asking for asylum. Around 150,000 Mexican single adults were apprehended at the border in the fiscal year 2019, sharply down from previous decades but still enough to bother US&nbsp;immigration hawks.

In another sign of the new focus on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/mexican-businesses-want-clarity-on-details-of-usmca-trade-deal-267698">Mexicans</a>, Acting Deputy US&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said an agreement that lets US&nbsp;immigration officials send asylum seekers to Guatemala to request refuge there instead could also apply to Mexicans and other nationalities.

"As we fully implement the agreement, all populations are being considered, including Mexican nationals," Cuccinelli said on Twitter.

His comments were echoed by Guatemala's Interior Minister Enrique Degenhart, who told Reuters he had analysed whether Mexicans could be included in the programme, which is similar to the "safe third country" arrangement in Europe that outsources asylum to Turkey.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Migrants gather at US-Mexico border for Christmas party

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/migrants-gather-at-us-mexico-border-for-christmas-party-268529/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Degenhart said the idea of including Mexicans had not been implemented so far but could not be ruled out.

"Right now, it is only being used with Central Americans," he said, pointing out that Mexicans were not part of the long-standing pact that allows Central Americans to move freely between each others' countries.

Mexico's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Cuccinelli and Degenhart's remarks.

Flights

Mexico said it had requested the flights to keep deportees away from dangerous border cities, while a senior DHS official said the flights were in response to rising numbers of Mexican nationals arrested at the US-Mexico border.

Mexicans made up nearly half of all migrants caught between October and December, according to US&nbsp;Customs and Border Protection data.

John Sandweg, a former acting director of US&nbsp;Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the Obama administration, said the programme would help stop Mexican migrants from simply crossing again once they had been deported.

"It's a lot cheaper to just return Mexicans across the border," he said. "But the real benefit is the recidivism rate." A bus ride from Guadalajara to Nogales, a Mexican border city across from the US&nbsp;state of Arizona, can take more than a day.

The flights could be scaled up quickly in the coming weeks, said the DHS official, who was not authorized to speak publicly. The Mexican foreign ministry said the flights would begin on a regular basis in January.

The US&nbsp;official added the return flights may expand beyond Guadalajara, Mexico's second-biggest city, to other parts of Mexico.

Acting ICE Director Matt Albence said in a written statement on Thursday that the interior repatriations would allow Mexican nationals to be returned closer to their homes and discourage future border-crossing attempts.

The flight from Tucson to Guadalajara on Thursday carried approximately 150 Mexican deportees, according to ICE.

The United States has in recent years mainly deported Mexicans to border towns, although in the past it also flew them to cities in the interior.

The United States began flying Mexican deportees deep into Mexico on Thursday, and senior US and Guatemalan officials said Mexicans seeking US refuge might be sent to the Central American nation, in a renewed effort to slash border crossings.

The United States began flying Mexican deportees deep into Mexico on Thursday, and senior US and Guatemalan officials said Mexicans seeking US refuge might be sent to the Central American nation, in a renewed effort to slash border crossings. The flight carrying Mexican deportees from Tucson, Arizona, landed in the central city of Guadalajara around midday. One immigration shelter in the city said it had been informed of a likely influx of deportees. US President Donald Trump has made clamping down on unlawful migration a top priority of his three-year-old term in office and his 2020 re-election campaign. Numbers of Central American migrants apprehended at the border fell sharply in the second part of 2019 after Mexico deployed National Guard troops to stem the flow, under pressure from Trump. With fewer Central Americans at the border, US attention has turned to Mexicans crossing illegally or asking for asylum. Around 150,000 Mexican single adults were apprehended at the border in the fiscal year 2019, sharply down from previous decades but still enough to bother US immigration hawks. In another sign of the new focus on Mexicans, Acting Deputy US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said an agreement that lets US immigration officials send asylum seekers to Guatemala to request refuge there instead could also apply to Mexicans and other nationalities. "As we fully implement the agreement, all populations are being considered, including Mexican nationals," Cuccinelli said on Twitter. His comments were echoed by Guatemala's Interior Minister Enrique Degenhart, who told Reuters he had analysed whether Mexicans could be included in the programme, which is similar to the "safe third country" arrangement in Europe that outsources asylum to Turkey. Also Watch: Migrants gather at US-Mexico border for Christmas party × Degenhart said the idea of including Mexicans had not been implemented so far but could not be ruled out. "Right now, it is only being used with Central Americans," he said, pointing out that Mexicans were not part of the long-standing pact that allows Central Americans to move freely between each others' countries. Mexico's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Cuccinelli and Degenhart's remarks. Flights Mexico said it had requested the flights to keep deportees away from dangerous border cities, while a senior DHS official said the flights were in response to rising numbers of Mexican nationals arrested at the US-Mexico border. Mexicans made up nearly half of all migrants caught between October and December, according to US Customs and Border Protection data. John Sandweg, a former acting director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the Obama administration, said the programme would help stop Mexican migrants from simply crossing again once they had been deported. "It's a lot cheaper to just return Mexicans across the border," he said. "But the real benefit is the recidivism rate." A bus ride from Guadalajara to Nogales, a Mexican border city across from the US state of Arizona, can take more than a day. The flights could be scaled up quickly in the coming weeks, said the DHS official, who was not authorized to speak publicly. The Mexican foreign ministry said the flights would begin on a regular basis in January. The US official added the return flights may expand beyond Guadalajara, Mexico's second-biggest city, to other parts of Mexico. Acting ICE Director Matt Albence said in a written statement on Thursday that the interior repatriations would allow Mexican nationals to be returned closer to their homes and discourage future border-crossing attempts. The flight from Tucson to Guadalajara on Thursday carried approximately 150 Mexican deportees, according to ICE. The United States has in recent years mainly deported Mexicans to border towns, although in the past it also flew them to cities in the interior.

US deports Mexicans far from border, may send others to Guatemala

A delegation of Rohingya refugees on Thursday (December 19) refused to accept a proposal made by Myanmar officials to repatriate them to Myanmar, citing that their demands have not been met.

Rohingya refugees reject Myanmar officials' proposal to return home

The Global Refugee Forum is being held in Geneva and the international community is coming together to announce bold, new measures to ease pressures on host countries, enhance refugee self-reliance, and find lasting solutions for those uprooted from their homes by wars and persecution. For three days the international community is exclusively focusing on the refugee crisis. # GlobalRefugeeForum #Geneva

Global Refugee Forum held in Geneva, major bold measures to take place

The first ever Global Refugee Forum will open on Tuesday (December 17) in Geneva in a bid to find new approaches to deal with refugees-related issues, as displacement numbers hit a new record in 2019.

UNHCR launch first Global Refugee Forum as displacements reach highest ever level

Since August 2017 nearly 700,000 Rohingyas have fled the destruction of their homes in persecution in the Rakhain province of Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh. Known as the world's most persecuted minority the plight of Rohingyas is said to be the world's fastest growing refugee crisis. Watch report:

Plight of Rohingyas is world's fastest growing refugee crisis

refugee

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