International organizations were born in the aftermath of devastating world wars. Nations set up international institutions and covenants, seeking to never repeat the devastation arising out of those wars. But first, they had to tackle an unprecedented mass displacement crisis. Due to warfare, destruction, and persecution, millions of people were driven out of their homes. […]
Author: USCRI
Termination of Protection Endangers Afghan Allies
The May 12 announcement from the Administration to terminate protections for Afghans is a betrayal of those who put their lives on the line to defend the United States and a failure to recognize the dire conditions in Afghanistan that threaten the lives of many. On May 13, the Administration published an official notice to […]
Toward a Shared Future: Advancing Refugee Integration in Kenya
In March 2025, Kenya took a bold step toward transforming the future of refugees and host communities by launching the Shirika Plan—a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering the socioeconomic inclusion of refugees and shifting from a model of aid dependency to one rooted in long-term development. The Shirika Plan for Refugees and Host Communities marks […]
U.S. Border Patrol Found Responsible for the Fatal Abuse of Anastasio Hernández Rojas
In a landmark decision, a human rights body has held U.S. Border Patrol culpable for the death and torture of a migrant in custody. The case, Anastasio Hernández Rojas and Family v. United States, is a resounding defense of the dignity and rights of asylum seekers and migrants who experience abuse at the hands of […]
Isolationism—What It Means for Refugees in Africa’s Central Sahel
In the past five years, three countries in the Central Sahel—Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—have undergone transformative political changes. All three countries are now led by military juntas. In January 2025, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso formally withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional economic bloc. ECOWAS also has a […]
Sexual Violence: A Weapon of War in Sudan
On April 15, 2025, Sudan entered its third year of war. The following snapshot uses information from USCRI’s April 2025 Sudan Situation Update, as well as information as of April 28, 2025. * The following snapshot contains descriptions of sexual violence. Read with care. In under two years, the number of people at risk of […]
At Risk Twice Over: Displacement and Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is experiencing one of the most complex intersections of displacement and human trafficking globally. Political upheaval, armed conflict, human rights abuses, economic instability, and environmental degradation have uprooted millions across the region. Many displaced people live without legal status or adequate protections, making them highly susceptible to exploitation and trafficking. According to the […]
For Lesbians, No Refuge in the Refugee Camp
In many places, love is persecuted: 65 countries criminalize same-sex relationships. Lesbians are particularly the target of cruelty: they are often hated both for being women and for being gay. Fearing torture, internment, and even death, many seek freedom elsewhere, leaving their lives and communities behind in hopes of finding safety. Refugee camps are meant […]
Children in Sudan
On April 15, 2025, Sudan entered its third year of war. The following snapshot uses information from USCRI’s April 2025 Sudan Situation Update, as well as information as of April 24, 2025. Children in Sudan are bearing some of war’s deepest scars. Over 6.5 million children are displaced, and they have suffered two years of […]
Backgrounder: Sahrawi Refugees and Western Sahara
Who are the Sahrawi People? The Sahrawi people are a primarily nomadic cultural and ethnic group of Arab and Amazigh (also known as Berber) descent. Many Sahrawi people trace their lineage to Beni Hassan Arabs, who settled in North Africa between the 11th and 14th centuries. They share cultural ties with other ethnolinguistic groups in […]
