The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued a stark warning, reporting a record-breaking 120 million people worldwide are now forcibly displaced due to war, violence, and persecution.
This marks the twelfth consecutive year of increase, with the displaced population now roughly equivalent to the entire population of Japan.
UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi called this figure a “terrible indictment on the state of the world.” He urged governments to move beyond politicizing refugees and simplistic solutions like border closures. Instead, he emphasized the need for tackling root causes and pursuing long-term solutions through international cooperation.
The report, covering data until April 2024, highlights several significant displacement events:
- Sudan: Conflict between rival factions erupted in April 2023, displacing over nine million people.
- Gaza: Fighting between Israel and Hamas since October resulted in a staggering 75% displacement (approximately 1.7 million people).
- Syria: The long-standing conflict, starting in 2011, continues to uproot nearly 14 million Syrians.
- Democratic Republic of Congo and Myanmar: Ongoing violence in 2023 forced millions more to flee their homes.
Contrary to popular perception, the UNHCR clarifies that most displaced people remain in neighboring low- and middle-income countries, not wealthy nations.
The future looks grim, with Grandi predicting a possible further rise unless there’s a “shift in international geopolitics.” The agency also condemns parties violating international law through conflict, causing forced displacement.
