These people are faced with such incredible dilemmas, they were talking about whether it was necessary for them to take some of those boats across the Mediterranean as the only way towards a better life.

Filippo Grandi

Categorized in : World

The worst Mediterranean tragedy of this year has just occurred. by Filippo Grandi

The worst Mediterranean tragedy of this year has just occurred.

With every refugee situation, wherever it is, however long it has been going on for, there has to be an enduring emphasis on solutions and removing obstacles to people being able to return home, this is complex work in which UNHCR is constantly engaged but which also requires all countries to come together for a common good. It is one of the great challenges of our times.

We are at a watershed, where success in managing forced displacement globally requires a new and far more comprehensive approach so that countries and communities aren't left dealing with this alone, but there is reason for some hope. Fourteen countries are already pioneering a new blueprint for responding to refugee situations and in a matter of months a new Global Compact on Refugees will be ready for adoption by the United Nations General Assembly.

President Kenyatta is quite determined to get through this in a relatively short period of time, i told the president that in order to mobilize these resources, we need a little bit more (time).

The situation in South Sudan is far too fragile and dangerous for... by Filippo Grandi

The situation in South Sudan is far too fragile and dangerous for people to go back.

We must find a way to manage this crisis in a more humane, equitable and organized manner. It is only possible if the international community is united and in agreement on how to move forward.

We are running out of time, and strong leadership and vision are urgently needed from European leaders to deal with what is, in our view, a situation that can still be managed if properly addressed.

The international community woke up very late to this reality. But at least it woke up, now we can do some work really to stabilize the people.

I don't have yet the percentages for this year, but I have every reason to believe that it will be much higher, people were hungry in the Middle East, a region which has not seen hunger for a long, long time.

I think if the package goes through, we will see a massive increase in work permits in Jordan, i'm pretty sure about that.

We will do whatever we can to help the Turkish government find additional resources for people who are living here under temporary protection to make their lives as good as we can, we will work on other aspects as well ... We will work on more resettlement opportunities.

If Europe had a coherent, coordinated response ... these border reactions that sometimes are justified, like in the case of Sweden by a huge arrival of people, wouldn't be happening, we will of course continue to say 'You manage your border as you see necessary', but the right of people to seek asylum should not be jeopardized. That's very, very important.

Now if Europe starts setting limits, pushing back, erecting barriers, being hostile, the rest of the world will follow, I can tell you.