Refugee Protection and International Migration: Trends August 2013 – July 2014

This update provides a short overview of trends, challenges and UNHCR responses to mixed movements globally and across regions in the period from August 2013 to July 2014. In some instances, and where updated information was available, the time frame was stretched to November 2014, the time when this update was finalized.

Massive forced displacement due to armed conflict and persecution has marked 2013/14. While many of these movements have remained within national boundaries, increasingly more refugee men, women and children have fled across international borders in search of protection and solutions. Protracted refugee situations have also contributed to onward movements. Today, refugees and asylum-seekers are a prominent part of mixed migratory movements worldwide.

In addition to aggregating information from earlier reports (which are linked at the bottom of this page), this update identifies several challenges facing the response to global and regional migration and refugee situations. These include inadequate mechanisms for regularized and safe access to asylum and protection, as well as the vulnerability of women and children in particular to exploitation, abuse and violence.