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

Winter Emergency

This Winter, harsh temperatures affect millions of vulnerable people across the Middle East, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

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.

The Syrian crisis

After 12 years of war, Syrians are still struggling to survive. More than half of the country’s population has fled since the beginning of the war, making this the largest refugee crisis since 1945. Nearly 13 million people need humanitarian assistance.

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.

News

Our latest news in relation with the emergencies.

Our latest news

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

“Even here we might die because we have nothing”

The Horn of Africa region is currently experiencing its worst drought in over 40 years. After four failed rainy seasons and a fifth on the horizon, millions of people have had to flee their homes.

Emergency

Fri 02/09/2022 - 14:45

Horn of Africa: worst drought in 40 years

In Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, people are suffering from one of the worst droughts in 40 years. 18.4 million people are on the verge of famine. A new challenge for people already forced to flee in the region.

Emergency

Fri 01/07/2022 - 16:00

New tragedy in Afghanistan

A powerful earthquake has hit southeastern Afghanistan, with early reports of over 1000 deaths and many more injured.

Emergency

Thu 23/06/2022 - 16:00