The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has revealed that 114 million people worldwide have been compelled to abandon their homes by the end of September this year due to various factors such as conflict, persecution, and human rights violations.
Among the primary drivers of this concerning global total are the ongoing war in Ukraine and conflicts in regions like Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, as well as challenges like droughts, floods, and insecurity in Somalia.
Additionally, the prolonged humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan continues to displace countless people, contributing to this distressing statistic.
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, expressed his deep concern, emphasising that “globally, far too many conflicts are proliferating or escalating, shattering innocent lives and uprooting people.”
He further highlighted the inability of the international community to resolve conflicts or prevent new ones as a significant factor leading to displacement and misery.
Grandi called for collective efforts to address these challenges, urging action to end conflicts and create conditions for refugees and the displaced to return home or rebuild their lives.
As of June this year, the number of forcibly displaced individuals worldwide already stood at 110 million, reflecting an increase of 1.6 million compared to the end of 2022.
News About Nigeria reports that the situation escalated even further between June and the end of September, with an additional four million individuals estimated to have been forcibly displaced.
Notably, the UNHCR’s report does not encompass the consequences of the Israel-Palestine conflict, which reignited on October 7, as it fell beyond the scope of the report.
The report also brought to light the fact that low and middle-income countries bore the significant burden of hosting three-quarters of those in need of international assistance.
Despite the immense challenges, High Commissioner Grandi remained resolute in his commitment to finding solutions.
He said; “As we watch events unfold in Gaza, Sudan, and beyond, the prospect of peace and solutions for refugees and other displaced populations might feel distant. But we cannot give up. With our partners, we will keep pushing for – and finding – solutions for refugees.”
The release of this report coincides with the upcoming second Global Refugee Forum, scheduled to take place from December 13 to 15 in Geneva.
This forum, the largest of its kind focusing on refugees and forcibly displaced people, will bring together governments, refugees, local authorities, international organisations, civil society, and the private sector to collectively address this pressing global issue.
