Emergencies

When violence breaks out and disaster strikes, donor support allows UNHCR to move directly into action.

UNHCR is often the first and last responder when refugee crises break out. With the capacity to have staff and equipment on the ground within 72 hours, we not only respond to urgent needs, but also protect the rights of refugees while working to provide them with a better future.

Learn more about UNHCR's emergency response

The Syrian crisis

After 12 years of crisis, Syrians are still struggling to survive. More than half of the country’s population has fled since the beginning of the conflict, making this the largest refugee crisis since 1945.

Ukraine Emergency

In Ukraine, the number of families forced to flee to safety is increasing dramatically every day.

Drought: emergency in the Horn of Africa

The Horn of Africa region is experiencing the worst drought in over 40 years. Cattle are dehydrated and dying, crops are failing, leaving thousands of people with no choice but to flee their homes.

Humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

More than four decades of conflict have displaced millions of Afghans. Today, the situation has reached a new critical point. UNHCR is on the ground to provide life-saving assistance to the internally displaced, and to refugees in neighbouring countries.

The Rohingya Crisis

The Rohingya crisis is one of the largest and most urgent crises of our time. The women, men and children who belong to this minority group have long been denied their rights and are regularly persecuted.

Crisis in the Mediterranean

For refugees and migrants, travelling between Africa and Europe remains one of the deadliest journeys in the world. Thousands of people die and the people who survive experience severe trauma.

The Venezuela crisis

The political, social and economic crisis Venezuela is currently going through has brought about violence, insecurity and the deterioration of basic human rights. Shortages in food, medicine and essential services are making matters worse.

Humanitarian crisis in Yemen

The ongoing civil war in Yemen, which started in 2015, has caused the world's worst humanitarian crisis to date: four out of five Yemeni can’t survive without outside aid, and twenty million people are on the brink of starvation.

Emergency in the Sahel

The situation in the Sahel is the fastest growing displacement and protection crisis in the world. Conflict areas continue to expand, overwhelmingly affecting women and children.

News

Our latest news in relation with the emergencies.

Our latest news

Syria marks 12 years of ongoing conflict

While the Syrian situation has been progressively fading out of the public debate and the media, the country remains the world’s largest displacement crisis with 6,8 million forcibly displaced people throughout the country and over 6,8 million refugees.

Emergency

Wed 15/03/2023 - 15:00

Earthquake aftermath: UNHCR’s support in the Syria-Türkiye region

The death toll continues to rise as casualty reports arrive, surpassing 50,000 to this day. Learn more about UNHCR's impact on the ground.

Emergency

Mon 06/03/2023 - 10:00

Marking one year of war and displacement in Ukraine

One year ago today, people in Ukraine were waking up to the sound of sirens and explosions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The sudden war on European territory has since then changed the world as we knew it.

Emergency

Fri 24/02/2023 - 09:01

Earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria

On 6 February, two powerful earthquakes struck southeast Türkiye and northern Syria. To date, more than 21,000 people have lost their lives in this disaster.

Emergency

Fri 10/02/2023 - 11:00

Om Saker and her children will face extreme temperatures in Iraq this winter

Om Saker’s story is a testimony of the challenges winter imposes on people forced to flee, but also an example of how everyone can make a difference and support families like her brave the cold.

Emergency

Mon 28/11/2022 - 16:55

Millions of displaced people are facing cold every winter

Wherever they are, people forced to flee face an extremely difficult winter season ahead, including displaced Syrians and Iraqis throughout the Middle East, conflict-affected and displaced Afghans; and those forced to flee the war in Ukraine.

Emergency

Fri 11/11/2022 - 13:25

Pakistan: under water and rubble

Torrential rains and floods of unprecedented brutality and magnitude have caused destruction and death across Pakistan.

Emergency

Fri 09/09/2022 - 08:38