UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 14 March 2015]
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/search?page=&comid=4a0950336&cid=49aea93a7d&scid=49aea93a40

Refugees endure worsening conditions as Syria’s conflict enters 5th year
Press Releases, 12 March 2015
Geneva, 12 March 2015 – As the Syrian conflict enters its fifth year, millions of refugees in neighbouring countries and those displaced within the country are caught in alarmingly deteriorating conditions, facing an even bleaker future without more international support, UNHCR warned today…

UNHCR unveils far-reaching proposals for European action in the Mediterranean Sea
Press Releases, 12 March 2015
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has sent a number of concrete proposals to the European Union to deal with the challenges posed by the thousands of refugees and migrants who risk their lives trying to reach Europe every year.

The proposals, made by UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres in a letter to the European Union, are part of UNHCR’s Central Mediterranean Sea Initiative (CMSI), which aims to encourage wide-ranging discussions with the European Commission and among European states and other concerned stakeholders to address the challenges of mixed migration in the Mediterranean Sea and to save lives.

“We are proposing to the European Union and countries in Europe a number of bold and innovative solutions to address the challenges of mixed migration in the Mediterranean and reduce the number of people losing their lives at sea,” said Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR’s Director for Europe.

So far this year, around 470 people have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean Sea, compared to 15 in the same period last year.

“To continue with the status quo is not an option,” warned Cochetel, “inaction to address these challenges will only mean more people dying.”

UNHCR’s new proposals include the establishment of a robust European search and rescue operation in the Mediterranean, similar to the Italian Mare Nostrum operation which came to an end last year, and to set up a EU scheme to compensate shipping companies for losses incurred while rescuing people in distress at sea.

UNHCR is also urging the EU to explore solutions to address challenges once refugees arrive in Europe, ensuring adequate support for them and avoiding a few countries having to shoulder the main responsibility for them…