Kathryn Porteous

Communications Officer and Spokesperson with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

[UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency @Refugees]

Marking #WorldRefugeeDay at Ura Camp in Ethiopia, High Commissioner @BarhamSalih joined refugees and host community in a moving commemoration.

Ura shows what is possible when protection is matched with inclusion, creating opportunities for refugees and host communities alike.

[UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency @Refugees]

An ordinary moment, until it wasn't.

A shift at the hospital.

For Gbreel, that was the last day of his normal life before war changed everything.

Millions of refugees can still remember that moment.

The moment life became "before" and "after."

[UNHCR Central and South-East Europe @RefugeesCSEE]

⚽ On 30 May, thirty young @Refugees from Ukraine took to the pitch with UEFA coaches at the UEFA Champions Festival in Budapest, thanks to UNHCR's partnership with @UEFA and the refugee-led organization Unity.
A powerful reminder that football is #MoreThanAGame. 💙

[UNHCR Ukraine @UNHCRUkraine]

UNHCR strongly condemns the🇷🇺attack on Dnipro🇺🇦, which hit a UNHCR-contracted warehouse.
Humanitarian aid, incl shelter & relief items, were destroyed.
We're working w/ partners to urgently replenish stocks & secure alternative storage. #NOTATARGET
More: https://t.co/Oaa9sAoxKw

[OCHA Ukraine @OCHA_Ukraine]

Humanitarian Coordinator, a.i., for Ukraine, Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, condemned attacks impacting humanitarians delivering aid to civilians in #Kherson today.

The 2nd incident this week. Civilians and aid workers must be protected. Read more: https://t.co/4Ybk79YRI5

[Kathryn Porteous @KathrynPorteous]

UNHCR High Commissioner @BarhamSalih is in Berlin.

As a long-standing partner, support from Germany is crucial to our work around the world.

[Barham Salih @BarhamSalih]

A great meeting with Germany’s Foreign Minister, Dr Johann Wadephul. Thank you for the warm welcome and a productive exchange. Germany has long been a major partner of UNHCR, and we are committed to deepening this partnership to protect the world’s most vulnerable, guided by our shared humanity and legal responsibility.

[UNHCR Greece @UNHCRGreece]

Tragic news from south of Crete: 22 people are feared dead after their dinghy drifted for 6 days without food or water, according to survivors.

26 others were rescued & brought to safety on Crete. The boat had departed Tobruk w/ 48 people on board.

https://t.co/1Bqf08WMUq 1/2

[UNHCR Ukraine @UNHCRUkraine]

UNHCR strongly condemns the 🇷🇺 drone attack on a
@MissionProliska evacuation vehicle in Donetsk region🇺🇦. While evacuating civilians, it was hit, killing 2 & injuring 2. Civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected.
🔗More: https://t.co/TONXHyswXt

[UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency @Refugees]

UNHCR is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in the Middle East and its impact on civilians and further displacement in the region.

Our full statement on the ongoing situation.

[Kathryn Porteous @KathrynPorteous]

Don't look away.

Hear directly from our colleague on the ground in Ukraine, Iryna.

4 years on. We cannot forget about Ukraine.

[UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency @Refugees]

Four years of fear.
Four years of suffering.
Four years of displacement.
Four years of Russian attacks.
Four years of full-scale war in Ukraine.

Iryna from @UNHCRUkraine shares what it’s like to endure the war in her country as today marks four year since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Her message is simple: do not forget Ukraine.

[Christiane Amanpour @amanpour]

"The human tragedy is real": I spoke with @BarhamSalih, the new UN High Commissioner for Refugees, from Ukraine. Looking at the destruction and human displacement there, he reiterates that "behind every statistic is a life devastated."

[UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency @Refugees]

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, @BarhamSalih, has arrived in Kyiv, meeting families who have endured the unimaginable.

Hear their stories. See the human cost of four years of full-scale war.

[UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency @Refugees]

https://t.co/aaINKwKZHw

[Kathryn Porteous @KathrynPorteous]

The @Refugees Nansen Awards recognize humanitarian heroes. Last night they were honored in Geneva at a beautiful ceremony.

Very special recognition to @MissionProliska (Head + Deputy pictured far left) for their unrelenting work supporting ppl on the front line in #Ukraine.

[UNHCR Ukraine @UNHCRUkraine]

📢Ukrainian NGO @MissionProliska is winner of UNHCR's #NansenAward for Europe 2025.

Their teams have supported millions of people affected by the war ❤️‍🩹they work in the frontline areas, protect those most at risk & reach communities in dire need.
https://t.co/NhTeTbw4hv

[Kathryn Porteous @KathrynPorteous]

This year, flexible funding from @DutchMFA has assisted thousands of refugees and displaced people around the world. In Europe, it's better preparing war-affected people for the cold winter months.

Hartelijk dank 🇳🇱 @NLinGeneva @Refugees_EU

[UNHCR Government Partners @UNHCRgov]

Earthquakes in Afghanistan. Freezing winter in Ukraine. Syrians rebuilding their lives after years away from home.

Different crises, one constant: the Netherlands’ flexible funding ensures help arrives exactly when and where it’s needed.

@DutchMFA | @NLinGeneva | @KingdomNL_UN

[Kathryn Porteous @KathrynPorteous]

Three stories of refugees with disabilities in Hungary. Cash support from @Refugees has been vital for them, and their caregivers.

But what happens when this help ends?

#InternationalDayOfPersonswithDisabilities

https://t.co/hMnVPJEeIr

[Kathryn Porteous @KathrynPorteous]

Inspiring work in the sphere of mental health support for displaced communities. Congratulations Jin!

@UNHCRTurkiye

[UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency @Refugees]

Congrats @JinDawod on your UN @SDGaction Award! 🎉

Years after fleeing Syria, 2024 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award winner for Europe Jin Dawod has turned her pain into purpose creating @peacetherapist.

[Kathryn Porteous @KathrynPorteous]

Partnerships are at the heart of our work and the potential impact @Refugees can have around the world. Thank you @Czech @vnitro for stepping up support.

[Dominique Isabelle Hyde @DominiqueHyde]

Day in day out, our teams work tirelessly to protect people seeking safety. That’s why we count on partners like Czechia.

Grateful to Amb Bálek for confirming 🇨🇿 @vnitro support to refugees in Chad at a critical moment as Sudan’s conflict intensifies and regional pressures grow.

[Filippo Grandi @FilippoGrandi]

Very grateful for this additional contribution by Germany to UNHCR’s work in #Ukraine — especially important as civilians continue to be impacted and displaced by Russian attacks.