Latest news with #UNHCR
TimesLIVE
17 hours ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Over 11-million refugees may lose aid access due to cuts, says UN agency
Up to 11.6-million refugees are in danger of losing access to humanitarian assistance due to cuts in foreign aid by donor nations, the UN refugee agency said on Friday. This is about one-third of refugees normally supported by the UN agency, it said. 'Our funding situation is dramatic. We fear that up to 11.6-million refugees and people forced to flee are losing access to humanitarian assistance provided by UNHCR,' said Dominique Hyde, UNHCR's director of external relations. Just 23% of the UNHCR's funding requirement of $10.6bn (R187.77bn) has been fulfilled so far for this year, it said. The funding crisis stems from large foreign aid cuts by donor countries such as Sweden, France and Japan, compounded by major US aid cuts. Forced displacement is increasing globally, while humanitarian aid is sharply decreasing, creating a 'deadly cocktail' that places displaced populations at grave risk, according to a new report published on Friday by the UNHCR.
Kuwait Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
State of Kuwait pursues humanitarian actions relieving peoples in distress
KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait, throughout the past decades, pursued humanitarian operations in the region and the world, relieving peoples in need or suffering from crises and disasters. The Kuwaiti aid, of diverse forms namely cash, necessities and various materials, has been dispatched and delivered by State institutions and private associations to peoples, communities and countries in need, particularly at times of crises and catastrophes, in various corners of the globe. The State of Kuwait is deeply committed to the norms and noble objectives of the United Nations Charter, notably with respect of boosting and safeguarding human rights. It substantiated sympathetic rhetoric with action, partaking in international human rights events, partnerships with UN agencies and NGOs for contributions to action for aiding others and enhancing communities' quality of life. In appreciation for its help for stricken nations over the past decades, the UN, on September 9, 2014, honored the State of Kuwait with the title, 'The Center for Humanitarian Action.' Simultaneously, it graciously honored the late Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, with the designation, 'The Leader for Humanitarian Action.' Kuwait, with a leadership placing humanitarian action on top of State priorities, has been a major contributor to the UN agencies namely the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).On May 12, 2024, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, during a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, affirmed the commitment to pursue humanitarian initiatives on the global stage, while the UN chief lauded the country's leading role in this respect. Kuwait, through State departments, public welfare societies, Kuwait Fund For Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS), Kuwait Society for Relief and various private institutions provides assistance to countries and communities suffering from various poverty, crises, hardships, natural disasters or epidemics. In January 2019, the KRCS, upon Amiri instructions, provided urged aid, worth USD 1.5 million, to Syrian refugees at Al-Rukban camp (southern Syria) and shanty towns neighboring Lebanon. In the same year, Kuwait donated USD five million to the UNHCR to cover costs of aiding the Syrian refugees in countries adjacent to Syria. Also in the same year, the KRCS launched an urgent humanitarian convoy, made up of five trucks loaded with 100 tons of necessary supplies, to relieve displaced peoples in Yemeni governorates, as part of the campaign, 'Kuwait on your Side.' Moreover, Kuwait donated one million euros to re-equip a hospital in the Italian town of Norcia that had suffered a devastating earthquake and donated USD 250 million for Yemen during the UN-launched 'Yemen Humanitarian Response' conference, held in Geneva. In April 2019, Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society dispatched a planeload of relief supplies to Iran in the aftermath of devastating floods. In July the same year, Kuwait donated USD five million to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). In the month later, it granted USD three million to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to boost the food security in Syria. In September 2019, Kuwait donated USD 11 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross's 'humanitarian response for Yemen's campaign.' In October, it donated USD 12 million to the UNHCR to back up its programs in Yemen, while the KRCS signed a cooperation agreement with Kenya Red Cross Society for aid in the humanitarian and relief sectors. In November, Kuwait declared voluntary contributions for the year 2020 with the UN agencies and funds, namely those engaged in humanitarian and development schemes—at a value of USD 6.4 million. Despite the hardships emanating from the coronavirus pandemic, Kuwait had not stopped the humanitarian assistance and aided, in 2020, a number of countries in need for medical and food supplies. In January 2020, the KRCS distributed relief supplies to victims of floods and torrential rain in Djibouti. And in February, 2020, Kuwait Society for Relief, signed a USD 1.33 million grant accord with the UNHCR to help the displaced in Yemen and Iraq. In August the same year, the KRCS launched a donation campaign for the Lebanese people in the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion and dispatched aircraft bearing medicines, wheelchairs, milk for children and blood bags. In December, 2020, the KRCS sent a planeload of 40 tons of humanitarian aid to Sudan after the country witnessed floods and heavy rain. In January, it sent an aircraft boarding medical supplies and blankets to Lebanon. In July 2021, the KRCS sent a planeload of medical equipment to Tunisia to aid the Tunisian people cope with the coronavirus pandemic. In January 2022, the KRCS signed with the ICRC a cooperation agreement to relieve the Muslim Rohingya settling in shantytowns in Bangladesh. And in March, 2022, it signed an accord with the World Food Program to offer urgent aid for the Afghan people. In March 2022, Kuwait sent a military plane carrying 33 tons of relief and medical supplies to Poland to aid Ukrainians who had taken up refuge in the nation due to the Russian military operation in their country. In May 2022, Kuwait Society for Relief signed an agreement with the Afghan Red Crescent Society to back up the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. In August 2022, the KRCS delivered urgent medical supplies to the hospitals in Gaza that were suffering from severe shortage of drugs due to the Israeli aggression on the strip and launched the 'Gaza in our hearts' campaign to collect donations for the Palestinians in Gaza. In September 2022, Kuwait dispatched a cargo of 75 tons of food and housing supplies to some 1,000 families harmed by floods and torrential rain in Sudan. In February 2023, Kuwait launched a campaign dubbed 'Kuwait on your side' to give a hand to victims of a destructive earthquake that struck Turkiye and Syria. The Ministry of Social Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information, raised donations via Kuwait Television collecting KD 7.20 million (USD 7.67 million).In the same month, the Red Crescent signed a cooperation deal with the ICRC, valued USD one million, to assist victims of an earthquake that hit South Turkiye and North Syria. In May 2023, Kuwait Red Crescent Society organized the 'Relieve Sudan' campaign and in June, the State of Kuwait pledged to contribute with USD six million during the Sudan donors' conference, hosted by the UN in Geneva. In September 2023, Kuwait dispatched the first plane of a multi-aircraft aerial relief bridge to Libya, boarding 40 tons of equipment, medical and relief supplies to aid victims of the Storm Daniel. In October 2023, the Kuwaiti Red Crescent handed over medical supplies to the health department in Gaza. In November, 2023, the KRCS signed with the Egyptian Red Crescent Society a cooperation protocol to buy food and medicines worth USD one million for the Palestinians in Gaza. The two societies also signed an agreement, in December, to build a field makeshift hospital in Gaza at a cost exceeding USD two million. In February 2024, the KRCS distributed urgent aid to Lebanese families and Syrian refugees who were affected with flood of Al-Kabeer River in North Lebanon. In March 2024, a team of Kuwait surgeons and consultants arrived in the Egyptian town of Al-Arish in preparation to enter Gaza and provide medical care for the Palestinians. In the same month. In the same month, the KRCS sent a planeload of relief aid to the Marka International Airport, in Amman, with ten tons of materials destined for the brothers in Gaza. In April, 2024, the KRCS declared signing a memorandum of understanding with Palestine Red Crescent Society to provide mobile medical aid in the West Bank, marginalized and isolated areas in the region. In the same month, the Kuwaiti society signed an executive contract, worth USD four million, with the Turkish Istanbul-based Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) to organize the third relief journey to Gaza. In May, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society inked with Al-Hussein Cancer Foundation (Jordan) to provide treatment for patients and deliver medical equipment to the foundation. In the same month, the KRCS signed a cooperation accord with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society for coordination in the humanitarian sphere. In July, the KRCS signed an agreement with the Sudanese counterpart for the same purpose, and in July, it signed an agreement with Sudanese counterpart for a water project at a refugee camp. In September, it signed an accord with the Sudanese counterpart to respond to emergency humanitarian conditions amid devastating floods. October (2024) witnessed arrival of the largest Kuwaiti relief ship at Port Sudan in the North of Sudan—with 2,500 tons of relief supplies onboard worth USD 1.2 million. In December 2024, Kuwait dispatched the first planeload of relief supplies to Syria with 20 tons of materials onboard. The air aid bridge to Syria persisted for several weeks until April 2025, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) Signed an agreement, worth USD 2.5 million, with the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), to support the humanitarian fund for Somalia (2025-2026).In the same month, KFAED signed a grant agreement worth USD two million to contribute to a water project in Gaza. In May 2025, KAFED signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), simultaneously with a visit to Tokyo by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. The MoU aimed at expanding cooperation at the development level and exchanging expertise in the execution of sustainable development ventures. In July, 2025, KFAED signed two MoUs with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for Great Britain and North Ireland to provide joint humanitarian aid to peoples affected with strife in Sudan and Somalia, worth USD ten million (USD five million for each).Moreover, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had launched the electronic network for humanitarian action in line with the approach to boost the humanitarian action sustainably. — KUNA
Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why are Afghan refugees being displaced from Iran?
More than 1.3 million Afghan refugees in Iran have been forced to return home since March 20, according to a new report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Published on July 16, the report also said that this year so far, Iran had deported more than 1.57 million Afghan refugees. Iran hosts the world's largest refugee population, and about 95% — estimated to be around four million — are Afghans, UNHCR says. Iran claims the real number is closer to six million. For more than 40 years, Afghanistan has endured conflict, economic turmoil, natural disasters, poverty, and food scarcity. Successive waves of people fled the country to escape the Soviet invasion, civil wars, the US-led intervention, and the Taliban insurgency. Over the years, a large number of them have taken refuge in neighbouring Iran. However, the influx particularly swelled after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis and worsening human rights conditions, especially for girls and women. Currently, more than 20,000 Afghans are crossing the borders every day. Refugees in Iran have arrived from areas such as Kabul, Herat, Balkh, Nangarhar, and the Hazara regions. Large communities are now based in provinces such as Razavi Khorasan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Khorasan, Tehran, and Yazd, primarily in low-income neighbourhoods. The legal status of Afghan refugees varies in Iran based on their documentation. Amayesh cardholders are refugees who entered before 2003 and are in the Comprehensive Refugee Registration Plan, also known as Amayesh. Only around 780,000 individuals hold the Amayesh card, which grants limited access to education and healthcare. A smaller number possess valid Afghan passports and Iranian visas. The third category includes refugees registered with the headcount slip, a temporary document provided to Afghan refugees for registration purposes. These slips expired on March 20 this year, and the Iranian government gave July 6 as the deadline to allow these individuals to either become documented or leave the country. However, the vast majority are undocumented. This group lives precariously, constantly at risk of arrest and deportation, and often works in exploitative conditions in the informal economy, construction, agriculture, domestic work, and manual labour. A severe economic crisis, fueled by years of international sanctions and mismanagement, lies at the heart of the recent deportation. The Iranian government often blames Afghan refugees, particularly the undocumented, for job losses among Iranians and the strain on heavily subsidised public services such as fuel, food, healthcare, and education. The conflict between Iran and Israel in June has escalated the situation of displacement. Iranian officials have claimed that Israel and the US had recruited Afghans, posing an alleged threat to national security. Kadijah Rahimi, a 26-year-old cattle herder, told The New York Times that during her arrest in Iran last month, the security agent told her, 'We know you're working for Israel.' This is not the first time that Afghan refugees have been accused of being recruited by Israel. After the devastating twin suicide bombings in Kerman in January 2024, Iran's government linked the attack to Afghan nationals, as its responsibility was claimed by the Islamic State affiliate ISIS-K, which operates primarily in Afghanistan. The authorities raided Afghan homes and workplaces. Mass detentions and expulsions, often regardless of individuals' documentation status, took place. The attack also fueled existing nationalist and hardline political currents within Iran that have long advocated for refugee repatriation. Strained relations between Iran and the Taliban regime over issues such as water rights from the Helmand River and the treatment of Shia Hazaras in Afghanistan have also contributed to the dynamic. Forcing large numbers of refugees back can be seen as a form of pressure on the Taliban, overwhelming its limited resources and highlighting the instability Tehran blames Kabul for. While the Iranian government claims that it is only deporting undocumented citizens, reports by The New York Times suggest otherwise. Some being deported are legal residents living in Iran for decades, and others have reported that their documents were torn by officials. The writer is a student who is a summer intern at The Indian Express.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Cops trace owner of car driven by 11-year-old child
Klang Selatan police chief Ramli Kasa said the child drove off with the car after his mother made a stop to go to the toilet in Klang yesterday morning. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Police have traced the owner of a car, driven by an 11-year-old child, which skidded at Jalan Telok Gong in Klang yesterday. Klang Selatan police chief Ramli Kasa said they have also identified the young driver and two other children who were passengers in the Proton Saga, Bernama reported. Footage of the incident, which happened at about 10am, has gone viral. Ramli said the 11-year-old child and one of the passengers, aged seven, are siblings and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders, while the third child is their Malaysian cousin. 'An initial investigation found that the car had been driven by the mother of the two siblings from the Bandar Sultan Suleiman area at North Klang Port to her sister's house in Telok Gong, Klang. The mother had left the children for a moment to go to the toilet. 'When the woman left to go to the toilet, the 11-year-old child took the car keys and drove the younger sibling and their cousin to a shop,' he said in a statement. He said the child drove for 2km before losing control of the vehicle when approaching the shop area, causing it to skid into a drain by the roadside. No one was injured, and the front part of the car was slightly damaged. Police have recorded statements from the parents of the child driver and are investigating the case under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving, Section 39(1) of the same law for driving without a licence (underage), as well as the Child Act 2001 to identify any elements of child neglect.
DW
2 days ago
- DW
Pakistan: Undocumented Afghan children living off scraps – DW – 07/20/2025
Afghan migrant children face harsh conditions, police harassment, and constant deportation threats in Pakistan, with many of them surviving by picking through garbage. Wasif Khan is 10 years old, and an undocumented Afghan. Although he was born in Pakistan, he remains invisible to the system. He has no birth certificate, no legal identity, and no access to school. He is what is known as a ragpicker, a person collecting waste from the streets. "If I study, then my parents will go hungry — that's why I collect scrap. Picking up this trash brings diseases. We earn this money and take it home. We come at 5 in the morning and leave at 7 or 8 at night. Then all night, our feet hurt," Khan says. Authorities rarely send detained Afghan children to child protection services. Pakistan hosts over 3.1 million Afghans, yet only 1.3 million are officially registered, according to UNHCR. The undocumented Afghans are at constant risk of deportation, detention or exploitation.
