clear racial dimension to the detriment of the African American population. Members of the Muhamasheen minority in Yemen have often been displaced into open spaces or the edges of towns, making their access to resources, such as shelter, water or medical emergency assistance, even more difficult. And this list could be continued. Unfortunately, the lack of readily accurate disaggregated data hinders much needed analysis. There are a number of reasons for this. First of all, there is a likely reluctance of minorities displaced or affected by crises to identify themselves as such for fear of further discrimination or violence. Furthermore, States may be unwilling to collect such data, since they may not recognize the affected minority group members as citizens, or their minority status, or do not want to draw attention to specific difficulties faced by members of their societies. Humanitarian agencies tend to disaggregate data mainly by sex and age, and rarely address other categories including minority status or special needs. Therefore, I reiterate the crucial importance of the collection of data disaggregated by ethnicity, religion and language to adequately map affected groups in humanitarian crises and natural disasters and that data collection programmes should allow for diverse forms of self-identification and comply with international standards regarding the right to privacy. There are specific challenges facing minorities affected by humanitarian crises, including the situation of particularly vulnerable groups, such as minority women and girls, which I will briefly introduce here in four points: 1. Threats to existence: Minorities affected by crises and disasters may be specifically targeted and may be at particular risk with regard to their physical safety and security both during crises and in their aftermath, including violence and xenophobic attacks against them. In some cases, the physical integrity of minorities can even be a key aspect of the conflict and amounting to mass atrocity crimes. They may also experience particular restrictions on their freedom of movement during conflict and humanitarian crises, as well as intimidation, discrimination or even violence against them when trying to flee. 2. Particular challenges in accessing basic services: Due to discrimination and marginalization, minorities who are affected by crises and disasters often lack proper access to water and sanitation, adequate food, and other services. This may be compounded by a lack of adequate documentation, which may impede access to humanitarian assistance including a range of public services during crises such as health care, education, housing and employment programs, as well as social integration. 3. Housing, land and property rights: Often clearly linked to the question of documentation, minorities may not have official papers to prove their land rights. Moreover, land often has a special meaning for minority communities, as some groups have a particular attachment to their land or as their whole culture may rely on land. 4. Return and the search for durable solutions: Return always needs to be voluntary, and carried out in safety and dignity in participation and consultation with the affected communities who are often minorities. Where deportations take place without consent, minorities may face numerous obstacles to their basic human rights. In some cases, the loss of the temporary protection status in host countries and the forced repatriation to their countries of origin, coupled with the lack of adequate policies for the integration of returnees, have resulted in minority communities being forced to a circle of continuous migration. Minorities may face particular obstacles, if they fled owing to violence perpetrated against them because of their minority status and the root conditions of that