UNHCR Reports Record 120 Million People Forcibly Displaced Globally

News Excerpt:

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, reported that global forced displacement has reached new record highs, driven by conflicts in regions such as Gaza, Sudan, and Myanmar, which have forced even more individuals to abandon their homes.

Key Highlights of the reports:

  • The global displaced population is now equivalent to that of Japan.
  • Conflict remains a huge driver of mass displacement.
  •  At the end of 2022, there were 117.3 million displaced individuals. By the end of April 2023, this number had increased to an estimated 120 million.
    • The figure represents a significant rise from 110 million the previous year, continuing a trend of increasing displacement for 12 consecutive years. 
    • Since 2012, displaced people have nearly tripled due to new crises and unresolved long-standing conflicts.

FACTORS DRIVING DISPLACEMENT

1. Conflict in different regions

  • The civil war in Sudan has caused significant displacement, with over 9 million people forced to flee since the conflict began in April 2023. 
    • By the end of 2023, nearly 11 million Sudanese were displaced, and the numbers continue to increase. Neighboring Chad has received around 600,000 Sudanese refugees over the past 14 months.
  • Other regions facing severe displacement include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and the Gaza Strip. 
  • In Gaza, 1.7 million people, or 75% of the population, have been displaced due to ongoing conflict. 
  • Ukraine - Russia war displaced approximately 750,000 people within the country last year, bringing the total to 3.7 million internally displaced by the end of 2023. 
    • Additionally, the number of Ukrainian refugees and asylum-seekers increased by over 275,000, reaching six million.
  • Syria continues to be the world's largest displacement crisis, with 13.8 million people forcibly displaced both inside and outside the country, according to UNHCR.

2. Impact of climate change on population movements and conflicts

  • Climate change and displacement are increasingly linked, with global heating exacerbating extreme weather and environmental conditions.
  • It creates crises that threaten human rights, increase poverty, strain community relations, and drive forced displacement. 
  • Most displaced people live in climate-vulnerable countries, often in remote, overcrowded, and poorly serviced areas, making them highly susceptible to climate hazards.
  • Climate impacts also disrupt livelihoods and escalate resource conflicts, complicating self-sufficiency and peaceful coexistence
    • UNHCR declared 43 emergencies across 29 countries, a significant increase from previous years.

3. Disregard for International Law

  • Many conflicts are conducted with complete disregard for international law, often aiming to terrorize populations, which further exacerbates displacement.
    • This trend can be reversed with significant changes in international geopolitics.

DISPLACEMENT STATISTICS and HOST COUNTRIES

  • Of the 117.3 million displaced individuals at the end of 2023, 68.3 million were internally displaced within their own countries.
  • Meanwhile, 43.4 million people were refugees or in need of international protection. 
  • Contrary to popular belief, most refugees do not go to wealthy countries. 
    • Instead, 75% reside in low- and middle-income countries, which collectively account for less than 20% of the world's income.

WORLD MIGRATION REPORT 2024

Findings on displacement in different regions:

  • In Africa, conflict and violence continue to cause cross-border and internal displacement, while the subregion also hosts large numbers of refugees in protracted situations.
    • Around 21 million Africans were living in another African country.
  • Asia was the origin of over 40 percent of the world’s international migrants.
    • In contrast to Africa, the largest internal displacements in Asia resulted from disasters rather than conflict and violence.
    • The demand for migrant workers in destination countries, unemployment and underemployment in countries of origin, and well-organized migrant smuggling networks have resulted in significant levels of irregular migration.
    • The Middle East remains a major origin of refugees and asylum-seekers in Asia, while also featuring some of the largest internally displaced populations in the world.
  • The data shows that nearly 87 million international migrants lived in Europe, an increase of nearly 16 percent since 2015, when around 75 million international migrants resided in the region
    • Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 resulted in one of the largest and fastest displacements in Europe since the Second World War.
  • In Latin America, violence – particularly gang-related violence – has resulted in a surge in displacement.
    • The data show that over 25 million migrants had made the journey north and resided in Northern America.
  • The data show that nearly 59 million migrants were residing in Northern America from a variety of regions.
  • Almost 8.3 million international migrants from outside Oceania were living in the Oceania region.
    • Relative to their population, small island States, including those in Oceania, have the highest displacement risk due to climate change.

UNHCR

  • The UN Refugee Agency, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR) is dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building better futures for those forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. Established in 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly, UNHCR was created to assist millions displaced by World War II.
  • Operating in 135 countries today, UNHCR provides critical aid, including shelter, food, water, and medical care, to people fleeing conflict and persecution.
    • The agency defends their right to safety and helps them find new homes to rebuild their lives.
  • UNHCR also works with countries to improve refugee and asylum laws, ensuring human rights are upheld. 
  • UNHCR involves refugees in planning and decision-making, treating them as partners in addressing their needs.
  • UNHCR envisions a world where every displaced person can build a better future, emphasizing long-term solutions and dignity for all.

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