Does overseas aid reduce migration? It’s complicated
3/11/2023: A new study published by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany argues that foreign aid aimed at reducing unauthorized migration from lower-income countries can be highly effective development policy. But the study warns leaders of donor countries that positive results will be constrained especially from the most "fragile” countries of sub-Saharan Africa.
Source: Devex
Mass exodus of Afghans as deadline to leave Pakistan expires
1/11/2023: Hundreds of thousands of Afghans living in Pakistan face detention and deportation as the government's November 1st deadline for them to leave expires. More than 140,000 people have left Pakistan since the start of October.
Source: CNA
Why donors hesitate over Kenya’s refugee reform plan
21/10/2023: Kenya’s refugee reform programme could see the Kakuma and Dadaab camps converted into formal towns whose residents will no longer be restricted in movement. But potential development partners seek more direct benefits to refugees as the basis for committing funds.
Source: The East African
Pakistan threatens to deport Afghan refugees
12/10/2023: Over 700,000 Afghans fled to Pakistan after the Taliban takeover in August 2021, of which only 200,000 have been resettled. Human Rights Watch calls on the Pakistan government to withdraw its demand that all migrants living without legal status in Pakistan must leave voluntarily within 28 days or face deportation.
Source: Human Rights Watch
UNHCR welcomes US decision on refugee resettlement
30/9/2023: The UN Refugee Agency commends the United States for its decision to admit up to 125,000 refugees for resettlement over the fiscal year beginning October 2023, doubling the previous allocation. The Agency estimates that currently over 2 million refugees are in need of resettlement globally.
Source: UN Refugee Agency
EU Commission ignores Tunisia’s abuses against migrants
28/9/2023: The European Union Commission has announced it will go ahead with a controversial deal that pledges financial support to Tunisia, effectively in exchange for preventing boats carrying migrants and asylum seekers from departing for Europe. The release of 67 million euros has been agreed despite an absence of any specific human rights guarantees.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Over 4 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants need support
12/9/2023: Vast numbers of migrants and refugees from Venezuela continue to face difficulties accessing food, shelter, health care, education and formal employment across Latin America and the Caribbean. Many are at risk of human trafficking, forced recruitment and gender-based violence.
Source: UN Refugee Agency
UK spending on refugees may no longer count as aid
26/7/2023: In 2022 the UK diverted 29% of its overseas development assistance budget to pay the hotel and other bills for asylum-seekers. Its new Illegal Migration Act - which threatens to detain and deport asylum-seekers - may put a stop to this accounting practice.
Source: Devex
Global refugee resettlement needs grow in 2024
26/6/2023: The UN Refugee Agency anticipates that over 2.4 million refugees will be in need of resettlement next year, a 20 per cent increase compared to 2023. In 2022, out of approximately 116,000 submissions, only 58,457 refugees were able to depart for resettlement.
Source: UN Refugee Agency
The EU must not be complicit in the loss of lives at sea
16/6/2023: After the latest tragedy close to the Greek coast, human rights organizations have called for an end to rights violations at Europe’s borders. Some EU states have drastically reduced search and rescue capacity at sea, limiting prospects of prompt and effective assistance for migrants in distress.
Source: Human Rights Watch