Media centre
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How we can help
As UNHCR’s official UK charity, we support media with research, visual assets and interviews about UNHCR’s international humanitarian work. This includes emergency response work during humanitarian crises as well as campaigns to help refugees around the world access education, healthcare and livelihoods.
Please contact the team for assistance, including research, photography, B-Roll or more information about our campaigns.
Policy issues
If you are seeking UNHCR comment on any policy issues, including asylum-seeking or resettlement, or comment relating to UK Government policy, please contact Maeve Patterson at [email protected]
For the latest global UNHCR media releases, please visit below.
UK for UNHCR media contacts:
Mark Macdonald
Director of Communications
[email protected]
Sara Guy
Senior PR Manager
[email protected]
UK for UNHCR News Releases
Statement on Syria by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi
09.12.2024 – Statement on Syria by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. Learn more.
UNHCR report reveals climate change is a growing threat to people already fleeing war
15.11.2024 – People forced to flee war, violence and persecution are increasingly finding themselves on the front line of the global climate crisis, a new report warns, exposing them to a lethal combination of threats but without the funding and support to adapt. Learn more.
ES DEVLIN: FACE TO FACE: 50 ENCOUNTERS WITH STRANGERS
15.11.2024 – Es Devlin presents FACE TO FACE: 50 ENCOUNTERS WITH STRANGERS in partnership with UK for UNHCR at Somerset House from 23 November – 12 January. Learn more.
Last chance to view Es Devlin’s landmark installation CONGREGATION in support of UK for UNHCR
08.10.2024 – Es Devlin’s CONGREGATION, a new large-scale installation she has created in partnership with UK for UNHCR, is open at St Mary Le Strand for two more days, until 9 October, 2024. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR launches Lebanon Emergency Appeal
25.09.2024 – Following the serious escalation of attacks in Lebanon, UK for UNHCR has launched an urgent appeal for funds so that UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, can continue delivering essential support to people displaced by the fighting and violence. Learn more.
Humanity Insured, an international not-for-profit, launches to bring insurance-led climate resilience to 3.6 billion people
19.09.2024 – Humanity Insured, a UK and US non-profit, launches to empower at-risk communities to build climate resilience through effective insurance solutions. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR statement in response to the declaration of famine in Sudan
02.08.2024 – Statement from Emma Cherniavsky, Chief Executive Officer of UK for UNHCR, in response to the declaration of famine in Sudan. Learn more.
Es Devlin to unveil landmark installation on the Strand in London in support of UNHCR
01.08.2024 – Es Devlin will unveil CONGREGATION, a new large-scale choral installation she has created in partnership with UK for UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency’s national charity partner at St Mary le Strand from 3 – 9 October 2024 (Press Preview: 3 October 2024). The work, curated by Ekow Eshun, has been developed in collaboration with King’s College London in partnership with The Courtauld. Learn more.
UNHCR calls for fair, efficient UK asylum system rooted in international cooperation and rights
12.07.2024 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling on the new Government of the United Kingdom (UK) to take measures to uphold the right to seek asylum and better protect refugees in the UK and globally. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR appoints three new Trustees, including first Vice-Chair
27.06.2024 – Trinh Tu (IPSOS), Sohail Ali (DLA Piper) and Jon Williams (Rory Peck Trust) join Board of Trustees. Learn more.
UNHCR warns against apathy and inaction amid spike in forced displacement
13.06.2024- Overall numbers rise to 120 million by May 2024; conflicts from Sudan to Gaza and Myanmar are creating new displacement and urgently require resolution. Learn more.
Share a Cuppa Hope with refugee storytellers this summer to celebrate Refugee Week 2024
12.06.2024 – To mark Refugee Week, UK for UNHCR’s ‘Cuppa Hope’ campaign aims to start new conversations about what it means to be forced to flee your home by listening to individuals’ stories – ideally over a brew. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR and 4C Group announce new partnership to empower refugee tertiary education
04.06.24 – 4C Group funds the creation of 70 DAFI scholarships to support refugee students around the world. Learn more.
UK-Rwanda asylum law: UN leaders warn of harmful consequences
23.04.24 – Following the passage of the “Safety of Rwanda” Bill by the UK Parliament, two UN leaders have again sounded the alarm on the harmful impact it will have on global responsibility-sharing, human rights and refugee protection. Learn more.
Thousands still fleeing Sudan daily, after one year of war
15.04.24 – A year on, the war in Sudan continues to rage, with the country and its neighbours experiencing one of the largest and most challenging humanitarian and displacement crises in the world. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR launches ‘Born Connected’ Ramadan campaign to raise vital funds to help refugees
11.03.24 – As Ramadan commences, UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner in the UK, is launching its annual Born Connected campaign. Learn more.
Full-scale Ukraine war enters third year, prolonging uncertainty and exile for millions of displaced
26.02.24 – After two years of full-scale war in Ukraine, amidst massive destruction and ongoing shelling and missile attacks across the country, the future for millions who have been displaced remains shrouded in uncertainty. Learn more.
Pattie Boyd photographs highlight the refugee stories beyond the headlines
22.11.23 – ‘Beyond the Headlines’ sees a series of images captured by photographer and author, Pattie Boyd, highlighting the stories of those who have faced conflict and persecution. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR calls for urgent support following devastating earthquakes in Afghanistan
13.10.23 — UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, launches an emergency appeal following the destruction caused by the recent earthquakes in Afghanistan. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR seeking urgent support for humanitarian emergency in Armenia
02.10.23 – Tens of thousands of people have fled to Armenia, as a decades-long crisis resurfaced last week. The situation has reached critical proportions, with the Government of the Republic of Armenia reporting over 93,000 new refugees arriving in less than a week. Learn more.
XTX Markets donates £1.6 million to support refugees fleeing to Armenia
28.09.23 – As of 27th September, the Government of the Republic of Armenia has reported that more than 50,240 people have newly arrived in Armenia, following conflict in the Karabakh region last week. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR launches emergency Libya floods appeal
14.09.23– UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity in the UK, today launched an urgent appeal for funds to scale-up UNHCR’s emergency relief work in Libya, to help the thousands of people affected by the devastating floods. Learn more.
New UNHCR report reveals over 7 million refugee children out of school
08.09.23– More than half of the world’s 14.8 million school-aged refugee children are currently missing out on formal education, risking their future prosperity and the attainment of global development goals, according to a new report published by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR appeals for urgent funds as 2.6 million refugees at risk of severe hunger in ‘forgotten crisis’ across the Horn of Africa
31.08.23- UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner in the UK, is calling for urgent support for displaced people facing the compounded impacts of prolonged drought and conflict across the Horn of Africa. Learn more.
Six years since the Rohingya refugee influx in Bangladesh, UNHCR appeals for sustained support and solutions
24.08.23 – This week marks six years since over 700,000 Rohingya women, men and children from Myanmar fled to Bangladesh. They joined hundreds of thousands of other Rohingya who had previously sought refuge in the country. Learn more.
UNHCR High Profile Supporter Theo James calls for sustained funding support for Jordan
27.07.23 – Theo James, actor, producer, and High-Profile Supporter of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has just returned from Jordan, where he met with refugees in the Azraq Refugee Camp and in urban areas in the capital Amman. Learn more.
Refugees share what home means to them in short film released to mark Refugee Week
23.06.20 – UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the UK, has launched a short film exhibition of their online gallery, ‘Gallery of the (New) Home’ at the Barbican and online to celebrate Refugee Week. Learn more.
Global Trends 2022: UNHCR calls for concerted action as forced displacement hits new record in 2022
23.06.14 – Increase last year was driven by war in Ukraine and revised estimates for Afghan refugees; further fighting, especially in Sudan, has now pushed global total to 110 million. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR launches urgent Sudan Emergency appeal
26.04.28 – Following the recent escalation of hostilities in Sudan, UK for UNHCR has launched an urgent appeal for funds so that UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, can continue delivering essential support to people displaced by this fighting and violence. Learn more.
UNHCR’s Grandi: To avoid further suffering and a major refugee crisis, Sudan needs urgent peace efforts
26.04.23 – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, is very concerned that the ongoing, brutal conflict in Sudan is now forcing tens of thousands of people to leave their homes in search of safety both within the country and across its borders. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR launches “Born Connected” Ramadan campaign to connect Muslims with displaced families globally
20.03.23 – This Ramadan, UK for UNHCR launches its new campaign Born Connected which aims to strengthen connections between Muslims living in the UK and displaced families across the world whilst raising vital funds to help refugees. Learn more.
UNHCR partners with Arm to solve complex displacement challenges
01.03.23 – UN Refugee Agency announces two-year partnership with technology leader. Learn more.
XTX Markets donates £1 million to UK for UNHCR Türkiye Syria earthquake appeal
10.02.23 – In response to the devastating earthquakes which struck Türkiye and Syria this week, XTX Markets is immediately donating £1 million to UK for UNHCR’s Türkiye Syria Earthquake emergency appeal in order to help survivors. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR launches urgent appeal in response to earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria
07.02.23 – Following the powerful earthquakes that have struck in south-eastern Türkiye, near the border with Syria, UK for UNHCR has launched an urgent appeal for funds so that UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, can respond and deliver essential support for people affected by these deadly quakes. Learn more.
Nottingham Forest And UK for UNHCR Launch Charity Shirt Partnership
22.12.22 – Premier League club donates front of team shirt for the remainder of the season to charity supporting families fleeing conflict. Learn more.
Life-saving humanitarian assistance delivered to people in Kherson city
15.11.22 – Led by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and sister UN Agencies – the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP), and UN OCHA today travelled to Kherson city to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to civilian communities. Learn more.
‘Two Truths And A Lie’ Campaign Launches To Shine A Light On The Contributions Of Refugees
15.11.22 – As the latest figures from UNHCR estimate that there are now more than 103 million forcibly displaced people around the world, UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s UK charity, is launching a new campaign to highlight the wide range of contributions refugees have made to British society, and to reflect the solidarity the public has shown towards people fleeing conflict and persecution this year. Learn more.
The Swarovski Foundation supports people displaced by flooding in Pakistan
20.10.22 – The Swarovski Foundation has donated to UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s charity partner, to support the agency’s relief work in flood-hit parts of Pakistan. Learn more.
UNHCR: Humanitarian needs remain acute for displaced in flood-hit areas of Pakistan
29.09.22 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is continuing to support the government-led relief efforts in flood-hit parts of Pakistan, where the situation remains dire. Learn more.
UNHCR rushes aid by air and road after Pakistan floods; steps up Afghanistan relief
06.09.22 – 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. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR launches emergency Pakistan floods appeal
30.08.22 – UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity in the UK, today launched an urgent appeal for funds to scale-up UNHCR’s emergency relief work in Pakistan to help the millions of people, including Afghan refugees in the country, affected by the devastating floods. Learn more.
Online Exhibition ‘Gallery of the (New) Home’ launches to mark Refugee Week
20.06.22 – UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the UK, is launching a ‘Gallery of the (New) Home’ exhibition, as part of this year’s Refugee Week (20-26th June). The Gallery will explore the notion of ‘home’ by asking people to share a photograph of what home means to them. Learn more.
Global Trends 2021: a year of record displacement, capping decade-long rising trend
16.06.22 – The number of people forced to flee their homes has increased every year over the past decade and stands at the highest level since records began, a trend that can be only reversed by a new, concerted push towards peacemaking, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, said today. Learn more.
Band Aid Donates £500K to Support Forcibly Displaced People in Northern Ethiopia
08.06.22 – Band Aid Charitable Trust has donated £500,000 to UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s charity partner, to provide sustainable support for refugees and internally displaced people in northern Ethiopia. Learn more.
Ukraine, other conflicts push forcibly displaced total over 100 million for first time
23.05.22 – Figure must ‘serve as a wake-up call’ for more action to promote peace and address all causes of forced displacement, says UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. Learn more.
Record support as UK corporate sector stands with refugees
28.04.22 – UK for UNHCR receives record £18 million in corporate donations to Ukraine Emergency Appeal. Learn more.
Football unites in global appeal for the United Nations response to Ukraine
29.03.22 – As the number of refugees fleeing Ukraine approaches four million, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and World Food Programme (WFP) launch the Football for Ukraine Emergency Appeal. Learn more.
Private sector donates over US$200 million to UNHCR’s Ukraine emergency response
15.03.22 – As humanitarian needs continue to rise, UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls on the private sector for continued support. Learn more.
One million refugees flee Ukraine in one week – Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
03.03.22 – In just seven days, one million people have fled Ukraine, uprooted by this senseless war. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR appeals for urgent funds for Ukraine crisis
02.03.22 – With more than 874,000 people fleeing Ukraine to escape military action, UK for UNHCR is urging people to donate to its Ukraine Emergency appeal now. Learn more.
UNHCR mobilizing to aid forcibly displaced in Ukraine and neighbouring countries
01.03.22 – As the number of refugees that have now fled Ukraine to neighboring countries in the past six days reaches 660,000, UNHCR is mobilizing resources to respond as quickly and effectively as possible. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR launches urgent Ukraine Emergency appeal
24.02.22 – As the situation for civilians in Ukraine deteriorates rapidly, UK for UNHCR has launched an urgent appeal for funds so that UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, can continue delivering essential support for displaced people across the country and the region. Learn more.
New research reveals all the nation wants for Christmas is kindness
15.12.21 – Author Max Porter and designers AAH YES STUDIO, Ruby Taylor, Alexandra Francis and Kate Gibb contribute their creativity to support displaced Syrian and Afghan families this winter and show how much kindness and warmth means. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR launches appeal with David Morrissey to help displaced Syrian and Afghan families survive the coming winter
03.12.21 – UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity, is calling on the UK public to help the UN Refugee Agency deliver aid to displaced Syrian and Afghan families across the Middle East and in Afghanistan before the worst of winter hits. Learn more.
UK for UNHCR launches urgent Afghanistan appeal
17.08.21 – As the situation for civilians in Afghanistan worsens, UK for UNHCR has launched an urgent appeal for funds so that the UN Refugee Agency can continue delivering support for displaced people across the country. Learn more.
UNHCR warns Afghanistan’s conflict taking the heaviest toll on displaced women and children
‘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
UK for UNHCR announces new Chair, Charlotte Boyle
UNHCR: World leaders must act to reverse the trend of soaring displacement
UK for UNHCR launches ‘The Refugee Dictionary’ campaign marking the 70th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention Because words are important
Avanti Communications and UNHCR give connectivity to refugees in Uganda
Every Second Counts for refugees, says UK for UNHCR in latest campaign for Ramadan
15.04.21 – This Ramadan, UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s charity partner in the UK, urges greater solidarity with millions of refugees and internally displaced people hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.
UK for UNHCR announces CEO & new trustee appointments
25.01.21 – Emma Cherniavsky appointed founding Chief Executive Officer and Katy Steward as new Trustee.