Media release
UNHCR rushes aid by air and road after Pakistan floods; steps up Afghanistan relief
Relief items are loaded from UNHCR’s global stockpile in Dubai bound for victims of flooding in Karachi, Pakistan. © UNHCR
For immediate release – 06 September 2022
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR’s Director for Asia & the Pacific Indrika Ratwatte – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is scaling up support in Pakistan, where torrential monsoon rains and floods have now affected more than 33 million people, causing widespread destruction and damage and over 1,200 fatalities.
Starting yesterday, UNHCR has mounted a huge airlift operation from Dubai – meant to focus on the worst affected areas of southern Sindh province, where Larkana and Sukkur are the most impacted cities in the country with limited assistance for those displaced from their homes, who require various essential supplies.
The first three of nine scheduled flights – comprising 40,000 sleeping mats, nearly 15,000 kitchen sets and some 5,000 multi-purpose tarpaulins – arrived on Monday in Pakistan. The additional six flights are scheduled from Dubai for Wednesday and Thursday.
UNHCR trucks carrying tents for some 11,000 families are also on the road from Uzbekistan, with more convoys scheduled.
As part of the UN-wide system efforts, UNHCR is supporting the government-led response, providing assistance to the worst flood-hit areas for an initial 50,000 households.
People are facing many challenges in the informal settlements, camped along roadsides to escape surrounding flood waters, setting up shelters with whatever resources they have. Most want to stay close to home, hoping to go back soon. The authorities need much more support with shelter, relief supplies and technical expertise. UNHCR and partners are helping authorities to conduct rapid humanitarian needs assessments.
We fear the situation could deteriorate – the latest Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasts predict more rains for the coming month. This will increase challenges for flood survivors, and likely worsen conditions for nearly half a million displaced people, forcing more to abandon their homes.
We are dispatching all our existing humanitarian stocks in the country for Pakistani communities and refugees, particularly in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkwa, some of the most heavily affected provinces, where more than 420,000 Afghan refugees live alongside generous host communities.
Pakistan and its people have hosted millions of Afghan refugees for over four decades, with some 1.3 million currently registered in the country. UNHCR is standing in solidarity with the country and its people – as we did during the devastating 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods.
But the scale of the devastation requires urgent international support. The impact of the global climate crisis on countries like Pakistan must be shared by the international community. Much more will be needed to help Pakistan to overcome this catastrophe and rebuild when the waters subside.
Humanitarian situation in Afghanistan
In the region, we are also alarmed by the situation in neighbouring Afghanistan. Several provinces across the eastern, central, southern and western regions have been hit by heavy rains. This follows the devastating earthquake in June that hit Paktika and Khost provinces in the southeast.
In response to both disasters, UNHCR has been supporting affected communities with emergency assistance. More is planned in the coming weeks, though access has remained challenging in the areas hit by rains.
UNHCR has also supported some of the worst earthquake-affected households in 35 villages, particularly in refugee-hosting regions. Work continues to complete 2,300 earthquake-resilient winterized houses including stoves, solar panels and latrines.
The humanitarian situation across the country remains very difficult, particularly as another harsh winter season approaches. More than 24 million people – over half the population – need assistance. Some 3.4 million people remain displaced, most living in difficult, makeshift conditions.
Returns of internally displaced people (IDPs), have, however, picked up as the security situation improves in many parts of the country. Since mid-2021, more than one million internally displaced Afghans have returned home.
We expect more to return in the coming months. A recent UNHCR survey found that over 40 per cent of IDPs want to do so as soon possible. UNHCR is supporting their wish to return and sustainably reintegrate. We plan to reach 620,000 returnees this year with assistance and reintegration support.
In areas of return, some 2.6 million Afghans are also receiving support from UNHCR protection activities and investments in infrastructure projects such as schools, health centres, water distribution systems and road building.
Support for the humanitarian response needs to be sustained to avoid further misery in a country that has seen four decades of turmoil.
Both the inter-agency Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) and the Afghanistan Humanitarian Plan (HRP) remain significantly underfunded. The HRP for US$4.4 billion is 43 per cent funded, and the RRP of US$623 million is only 40 per cent funded.
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For media interviews or further information please contact Sara Guy, [email protected],
0208 183 0121.
About UK for UNHCR
UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the UK. We build solidarity, create partnerships and raise funds across the UK to help deliver global humanitarian relief for refugees through UNHCR’s work. www.unrefugees.org.uk
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. It delivers life-saving assistance like shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights, and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. www.unhcr.org
UK for UNHCR is a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1183415).
‘The Refugee Dictionary’ unveiled to mark the 70th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention – which defined who a refugee is, and their rights, in law
Dictionary defines only one word, refugee, using personal stories and submissions from refugees, their friends and family, the public and high profile supporters –“Because words matter”
28 July 2021. A dictionary defining only one word – refugee – has been unveiled to mark today’s 70th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention, which the UK helped launch and ratify in 1951. Containing over 1,000 personal definitions submitted by members of the public, including faith leaders, local communities, high profile figures and refugees themselves, ‘The Refugee Dictionary’ demonstrates a strong sense of solidarity and helps to illustrate the stories, lives and contributions of refugees in the UK. The dictionary was created by the UN Refugee Agency’s UK charity partner, UK for UNHCR.
‘The Refugee Dictionary’ was today accessioned by the British Library for its Contemporary British Publications collection, as a record of the anniversary and a work commemorating the rich tapestry of stories and futures made possible because of this significant human rights convention. The Convention defined who a refugee is in law and set out the human rights of women, men and children fleeing the horrors of war and persecution to seek safety in another country.
Contributions have been made to the dictionary by a wide range of people, including Mevan Babakar, who was a refugee for five years as a child after fleeing the Gulf War; Lord Alf Dubs who fled Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport; the first female Syrian refugee pilot and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Maya Ghazal; the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi; as well as a wide range of refugee university students.
Faith and community leaders including The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Andrew Copson, Chief Executive, Humanists UK, The Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Zara Mohammed, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, and Jasvir Singh OBE also shared their definitions, alongside high profile supporters including Cate Blanchett, UNHCR Global Goodwill Ambassador and actor; David Morrissey, actor and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador; Khaled Hosseini, novelist, former refugee from Afghanistan and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador; actor Emma Thompson; lexicographer Susie Dent; actor, influencer and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Tanya Burr; broadcaster, author and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Anita Rani; and poet Harry Baker.
The inside pages of The Refugee Dictionary showcase a Kandahari embroidery pattern that was designed in a collaboration among Afghan refugee artisans, UNHCR’s social enterprise partner MADE51, Artisan Links and a UK designer, Tashi Goldring. This technique is an intricate form of needlework from the province of Kandahar, Afghanistan, which combines geometric shapes to create beautiful motifs.
These sit alongside hundreds of contributions from all across the UK. These heartfelt and personal submissions include:
A refugee is my grandmother Gizi, my Mother Margit, uncle Steve, aunts Magda and Gizi who were political refugees from Hungary during the 2nd World War when they arrived in United Kingdom. A refugee is human beings seeking valued peaceful lives and opportunity to contribute in society – Magdalena, Newport Pagnell
A refugee is a mother who planted her seeds of sacrifice, watered her seeds with hope and love, looked up as the shoots grew taller than her and beamed with pride as her sunflowers shone brighter than the sun – Salah, Nottingham
A refugee is a person or persons who flee from their homes in desperation and need a warm welcome to help them adjust to their new life – like the Asian family who fled Idi Armin’s Uganda. They arrived with just one small suitcase each, but in them they had gifts for us. We treasure these! – Anne, Stourbridge
A refugee is Dad – Jenny, Bedford
A refugee is the unexpected but joyful addition to my family. A surprise second son, enriching the lives beyond measure of my husband, my original son and daughter and the community of my extended family. A refugee is a gift of love – Jane, Lewes
Emma Cherniavsky, CEO of UK for UNHCR whose grandfather fled the Pale of Settlement, says:
“This book contains a wonderful range of personal stories, memories, history, friendships, romances and families: many made possible only because of the Convention. It’s a very human reminder of the importance of protecting people fleeing war or persecution. The world has changed considerably since the Convention was drafted but it remains just as relevant today, if not more so. At a time when the principles of the Refugee Convention are under threat in some parts of the world, we hope that the UK’s tradition as a place of safety for refugees continues to stay strong.”
Mevan Babakar, trustee of UK for UNHCR and deputy CEO of Full Fact was a refugee for five years as a child after fleeing the Gulf War. She said:
“My earliest memories were coloured by the word “refugee”. I never quite understood what the word meant as we moved through borders on foot, by train or by plane. I didn’t understand why sometimes the word opened doors and we would be welcomed in, and other times it would close a door, and we would be cast out. The rich and varied lived experiences of people who are displaced are often reduced down to the single word “refugee”. At the heart of this book is a different message: no one is ever just a word, we are always a story.”
Ian Cooke, Head of Contemporary British Publications, British Library, who accessioned the book adds:
“We are delighted to accept this unique work, written by the public. It commemorates a landmark in British history and reflects the modern day relationships and memories made possible because of the Convention. It is wonderful to think of the Refugee Dictionary finding its place amongst our collections, which document the diversity of expression and experience around the world, as well as the legal and intergovernmental co-operation and humanitarian effort that underpins the UNHCR.”
For the last 70 years, the UN Refugee Convention has helped to protect the millions of vulnerable people forced to flee their homes. Countries that have signed up to the Convention agree to protect refugees, but also to provide them with a series of rights including the right to work, to education and to a home, making a huge difference and allowing individuals and families to build a future.
To find out more, read a digital copy of the book and to find out more about UK for UNHCR’s work and how to support it, visit: please www.unrefugees.org.uk/refugeedictionary
The physical book will be available in the reading rooms of the British Library; more details can be found at https://www.bl.uk/visit/reading-rooms. Another copy of the book will be presented to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva later in 2021.
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Photo credit:
Photo of dictionary (on the wooden table): Michael Leckie
Photos in British Library:
EMBARGOED TO 0001 WEDNESDAY JULY 28 – EDITORIAL USE ONLY
The Refugee Dictionary, created by UK for UNHCR to mark the 70th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention, is accessioned by the British Library. Picture date: Tuesday July 27, 2021. PA Photo. ‘The Refugee Dictionary’ defines only one word – refugee. Containing over 1,000 personal definitions submitted by members of the public, including faith leaders, local communities, high profile figures and refugees themselves, the book demonstrates a strong sense of solidarity, helping to illustrate the stories, lives and contributions of refugees in the UK. Photo credit should read: Simon Jacobs/PA Wire
EMBARGOED TO 0001 WEDNESDAY JULY 28 – EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Emma Cherniavsky, UK for UNHCR CEO presents The Refugee Dictionary to Dr Xerxes Mazda, British Library Head of Collections and Curation, created by UK for UNHCR to mark the 70th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention, to be accessioned by the British Library. Picture date: Tuesday July 27, 2021. PA Photo. ‘The Refugee Dictionary’ defines only one word – refugee. Containing over 1,000 personal definitions submitted by members of the public, including faith leaders, local communities, high profile figures and refugees themselves, the book demonstrates a strong sense of solidarity, helping to illustrate the stories, lives and contributions of refugees in the UK. Photo credit should read: Simon Jacobs/PA Wire
For more information: [email protected]
About UK for UNHCR
UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the UK, building solidarity and raising funds to protect refugees worldwide through UNHCR’s work.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. Thanks to voluntary contributions from our UK supporters and partnerships, UNHCR teams can deliver life-saving assistance like shelter, food and water, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality.
UK for UNHCR is a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1183415). Learn more at www.unrefugees.org.uk
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world’s greatest research libraries. It provides world class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world’s largest and most comprehensive research collection. The Library’s collection has developed over 250 years and exceeds 170 million separate items representing every age of written civilisation and includes books, journals, manuscripts, maps, stamps, music, patents, photographs, newspapers and sound recordings in all written and spoken languages. Up to 10 million people visit the British Library website – www.bl.uk – every year where they can view up to 4 million digitised collection items and over 40 million pages.
Notes to Editors
Who is a refugee?
Article 1 of the Convention defines a refugee as a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution.
Global refugee crisis
There are now 82 million people globally who remain displaced due to conflict and persecution, more than any other time since the Second World War. In many cases, families will have just hours or even minutes to gather belongings and flee for their lives. In 2020, less than one per cent of refugees were offered resettlement in new countries around the world, with the rest remaining displaced in camps, settlements or urban situations for the long term, mostly in low- and middle-income countries.