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The refugees and migrants had tried to cross the frigid Mediterranean in open vessels without food and water. The estimate comes from the U.N. refugee agency, which spoke to survivors.

Dr. Paul Spiegel talks about the gaps — and raises the possibility that the coronavirus pandemic could lead to huge changes in humanitarian responses.

Some 5,000 refugees and migrants are in Serbia, trying to reach European Union countries. With EU leaders fearing an influx of refugees, "Serbia is in a difficult position," says a refugees' advocate.

"Likable characters are usually completely forgettable ... " he says. "We love villains ... because they show us these disturbing complexities." His sun-drenched summer novel is set on a Greek island.

The Japanese government has given Ukrainians residency and work permits for up to a year. But for those from other countries, it can be a years-long struggle to attain similar benefits and privileges.

The United Nations refugee agency set up a facility in Maicao near the Venezuelan border, providing help for more than 300 migrants. The facility aims to expand to meet the growing need.

Despite pleas for asylum, more than 200 Haitian refugees who landed in Florida last month are still in detention and most are likely to be deported. Cuban refugees traditionally find more protection on U.S. shores. Haitians seek the same treatment. NPR's Philip Davis reports.

Robert talks with NPR's Ann Cooper, who's in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, about the uncertainty surrounding the number and whereabouts of the refugees who remain stranded in Zaire. Relief groups generally agree that there are several hundred thousand people still in need of food and water, but they don't really know how many there are, or where they are. One United Nations agency today said it has information that at least one hundred thousand refugees are on the move towards Goma, Zaire, the site of last weekend's mass return to Rwanda of approximately a half-million people.

NPR's Ted Clark reports that the United States and other nations are rethinking the scope and mandate of a proposed multinational military force for Zaire. The sudden return of about half-a-million Rwandan refugees over the weekend dramatically altered the humanitarian situation along the Rwanda/Zaire border. Rwanda says there is no longer a need for a force, but the US and others point out that there are still an estimated half-million refugees stranded elsewhere in Zaire, cut off from food and water by fighting between Zairean rebels and exiled Rwandan militias.

Ten of thousands have been killed in the western region of Sudan, victims of ethnic cleansing and civil unrest. Millions of refugees have sought safety in other villages and in camps over the border in Chad. Talks to end the conflict are scheduled to begin Monday, days after the United Nations extracted a promise from the government to help refugees return home. Hear NPR's Jason Beaubien and NPR's Jennifer Ludden.