The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has released its annual Forced Displacement report, revealing that the global number of displaced individuals has reached a staggering 110 million.
This figure marks a significant increase from the previous year, with 19 million people being forced to abandon their homes in 2022, the highest annual rise on record.
The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan have been identified as major factors contributing to this alarming trend.
UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi expressed his deep concern during a press conference in Geneva, describing the situation as a stark reflection of the state of our world.
He emphasized that finding solutions to these mass displacements is becoming increasingly challenging, given the polarized international landscape and the influence of political tensions on humanitarian issues.
The total number of displaced individuals includes both those seeking refuge within their own countries and those who have crossed international borders as refugees or asylum seekers.
Approximately 37.5 percent of the total figure comprises individuals in need of international protection.
The report highlighted that Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan accounted for half of all refugees and individuals requiring international protection.
Ukraine, in particular, faced a significant displacement crisis, with 11.6 million Ukrainians still displaced by the end of 2022.
Grandi also expressed his concerns about several countries implementing stricter regulations on refugee admissions and conducting push-back operations.
While he refrained from specifying the countries involved, he mentioned that some Eastern European Union nations, such as Poland and Hungary, have refused to accept individuals from predominantly Muslim regions in the Middle East and North Africa.
Anti-immigration rhetoric from right-wing and populist parties across the bloc has further exacerbated the debate.
Outside the EU, the United Kingdom has introduced legislation that would prevent asylum claims from individuals arriving in small boats across the English Channel, mirroring Australia’s controversial offshore migration policy.
While the bill has passed the lower house, it still awaits approval from the upper house.
Grandi acknowledged positive developments, including a recent agreement among EU ministers to share responsibility for migrants and refugees.
He also commended Kenya for actively seeking new solutions for the half a million refugees it hosts, many of whom have fled poverty and drought in the Horn of Africa.
Despite some encouraging progress, the escalating number of displaced individuals serves as a somber reminder of the pressing need for comprehensive and collaborative efforts to address the root causes of displacement and provide adequate protection for those affected.
The UNHCR report revealed that 339,300 refugees were able to return home in 2022, while 114,300 were resettled in third countries, doubling the previous year’s figure.
